Updated 13-May-2024 • Published 08-May-2023
Can India overcome 11-year shortcoming in ICC tournaments?
Can India overcome 11-year shortcoming in ICC tournaments?
It’s barely a fortnight until the T20 World Cup gets underway, and with England’s men taking on Pakistan in a four-match series later this month, all eyes are set to turn back to international cricket as the IPL comes towards its conclusion.
Unsurprisingly, given the form and focus on the subcontinent over the past month, the odds-setters at bet365 reckon India are the clear favourites for this year’s edition in the USA and the Caribbean. They are 11/4 to lift the trophy, having fallen at the final hurdle in the 50-over version in November, with Australia – their vanquishers on that occasion - tucked in behind them on 7/2.
One significant factor to consider, however, is the use in the IPL this season of the controversial impact sub rule. In essence, it has allowed teams to pack their batting and bowling line-ups at the expense of a traditional allrounder, which is arguably a bigger issue for India than for other teams. A lot of their challenge may depend on the form and fitness of Hardik Pandya as their fifth bowler. And bear in mind, too, that Indian players do not get to experience overseas batting conditions quite with the same freedom as franchise players from other countries, which may also explain why they’ve not won an ICC trophy since 2013, despite their obvious dominance on home soil.
England, who are – lest we forget - the 20-over defending champions, are third-favourites at 9/2, their fortunes undoubtedly boosted in recent weeks by the IPL form of Jos Buttler and, especially, Phil Salt at the top of the order, not to mention the hard-hitting Will Jacks, who is likely to complete a potent top three. After a transitional few months for the white-ball side, there’s a sense of a more settled line-up taking shape… not to mention a potential return to action for Jofra Archer.
Further down the list, West Indies at 9/1 are certainly worth a flutter. They have a superb range of power-hitters to call upon, and a spin attack that knows its own Caribbean conditions down to the ground. They saw off England in a six-laden series in December, and in their first chance to host a World Cup since 2007, are itching to put on a show for their home support.
It might be too much of a stretch to put much faith in Uganda (1500/1) or Nepal, Canada and Oman (all 1000/1), but for a longer-odds flutter, the Netherlands, at 250/1, have been punching above their weight in recent times, not least in emerging from a seriously tough 50-over World Cup qualifying tournament. A more realistic punt might be Afghanistan at 33/1 – another hard-hitting outfit who can beat anyone on their day. If they can reach the Super Eights, at the expense of either West Indies or New Zealand, who knows how far they could go.