ICC Cricket World Cup – Betting Guide, Tips and Information

Every sport has a flagship tournament, and the ICC Cricket World Cup is the pinnacle tournament of cricket. Organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC), the ICC Cricket World Cup, better known as the ODI World Cup, was first held in 1975 in England and won by the West Indies at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. The ODI World Cup aims to determine the supremacy among all the cricket giants who fight hard to be called the ‘Champions of the World.’

ICC Cricket World Cup

Why It’s Important

  • Prestige: Winning the World Cup is the ultimate achievement in ODI cricket. It defines legacies and elevates players to legendary status.
  • Fan Following: With billions of fans across Asia, Australia, England, and beyond, the World Cup is among the most-watched sporting events globally.
  • Betting Popularity: The tournament generates massive betting interest due to its longevity. Markets like match winners, top batsmen, total runs, and live in-play odds are among the most popular ones.
  • Cultural Impact: The ICC World Cup is a global phenomenon catering to views and cultures from across the borders.

Quick Facts

AttributeDetails
OrganizerInternational Cricket Council (ICC)
First Edition1975 (England)
FormatOne Day Internationals (50 overs per side)
FrequencyEvery 4 years
Latest Edition2023 (India hosted; Australia won)
Next Edition2027 (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia)
Number of Teams10 (2023); expanding to 14 in 2027
QualificationICC Super League + Global Qualifiers
Most TitlesAustralia – 6 titles
Defending ChampionAustralia (2023)

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Tournament Format & Structure

As the name suggests, this is an ODI World Cup, meaning a 50-overs-per-side game, with each team allowed a maximum of 10 wickets. However, in the first three editions, i.e., 1975, 1979, and 1983, the ODI World Cup was played with a 60-overs-per-side game, but from 1987 onwards, the overs were reduced to 50 from 60 under the new ICC rules for ODIs.

The structure has evolved over the years, and it keeps changing depending on the number of participants.

EditionTeamsGroup Stage FormatKnockout Stage
1975–198382 groups of 4Semifinals → Final
19929Round-robin (all play all)Top 4 → Semifinals → Final
1996–200312–14Groups → Super Six/EightSemifinals → Final
200716Groups → Super EightSemifinals → Final
2011–2015142 groups of 7Top 4 from each → Knockouts
2019–202310Round-robin (all play all)Top 4 → Semifinals → Final
2027142 groups of 7Super Six → Semifinals → Final

The Knockout Phase typically includes semifinals and a final, with the top teams from the group stage advancing based on points and net run rate. The ICC doesn’t use the modern-day playoff approach (particularly used in T20 franchise leagues across the globe) to determine the finalists.

Typical Schedule

AttributeDetails
Time of YearUsually held between May–November, depending on host nation
DurationAround 4–6 weeks
Number of MatchesVaries from 48 to 55, depending on format and the number of participants.
Host RotationShared among ICC Full Members; recent hosts include South Africa-Zimbabwe-Namibia (2027), India (2023), England (2019), Australia (2015), and India-Sri Lanka-Bangladesh (2011)

Special Rules & Innovations

Decision Review System (DRS)

  • Introduced in ODI World Cup: The DRS (Decision Review System) was first used in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, held in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
  • Impact: It allowed teams to challenge on-field umpire decisions using ball-tracking and ultra-edge technology, significantly improving decision accuracy and adding a strategic layer to gameplay.

Other Key Innovations

InnovationYear IntroducedDescription
Powerplays2005Fielding restrictions split into phases
Super Over (Tied Final)2019Used in case of tied knockout matches (later revised)
DLS Method1999Rain-affected match recalculations
Strategic TimeoutsNot used in ODIsExclusive to T20 leagues like IPL
Player Tracking & Analytics2015 onwardEnhanced data for broadcasters and fantasy platforms

Teams to Watch

  • Australia has been the most dominant team in ODI World Cups. They have held this prestigious title as many as 6 times. They won it in 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015, and 2023. Australia is the only team to complete a hat-trick of World Cup wins in three back-to-back editions.
  • After Australia, Team India and West Indies have held the title twice. India won in 1983 and 2011, whereas West Indies won the first two editions in 1975 and 1979.
  • Teams like Pakistan (1992), Sri Lanka (1999), and England (2019) have won the ODI World Cup once.
  • Some of the biggest names in cricket, i.e., New Zealand and South Africa, have never held this coveted title.

Betting Advice & Markets

Popular Betting Markets

Limited-overs cricket always provides a better betting market, and ODI cricket is no different. ODIs offer a rich variety of betting markets that blend strategic depth with statistical predictability. Check out the most active and high-value options:

MarketDescription
Match WinnerPredict which team will win the match. This is the most straightforward and common betting market.
Top BatsmanBet on the player expected to score the most runs in a match or the entire tournament.
Top BowlerBet on the bowler who is most likely to take the maximum wickets.
Total RunsOver/Under bets for team innings, match totals, or individual players.
Man of the MatchPredict the standout performer of the game.
First Wicket MethodChoose how the first wicket will fall (caught, bowled, LBW, etc.).
First Powerplay ScoreBet on runs scored in the first 10 overs. In ODI cricket, there are 3 powerplays, but betting is allowed for the first powerplay only, which comprises the first 10 overs of an innings.
Fall of First WicketPredict the score at which the first wicket will fall.
Outright WinnerLong-term bet on which team will win the tournament. This market opens way before the tournament begins.

Format-Specific Tips – ODI Betting

ODI cricket can be best defined as a strategic amalgamation of the patience of Tests and the pace of T20s. Here’s how to approach them:

  • Middle Overs Matter: Focus on spinners and consolidating batsmen during overs 11–40. This phase often decides the match tempo.
  • Toss Impact: In day-night matches, dew can heavily favor chasing teams. Adjust pre-match bets accordingly.
  • Venue Bias:
    • High-scoring venues, which generally have shorter boundary sizes, favor top batters and total runs markets.
    • Bowling-friendly venues (e.g., Lord’s, The Oval, WACA Perth) are ideal for top pace bowler bets.
    • Venues like Colombo, Chennai, and Dhaka are ideal for placing bets on spinners.
  • Player Form Over Reputation: ODI cricket rewards consistency. Track recent averages, strike rates, and economy rates.

In-Play Betting Opportunities

Live betting in ODIs offers dynamic options that reward real-time analysis:

OpportunityWhy It Works
Next Over RunsPredict runs based on bowler/batsman matchups and field settings.
Next Wicket TypeTake bowling style and pitch nature into consideration to predict the next mode of dismissal.
Live Win ProbabilityTrack momentum shifts, especially after wickets or boundary bursts.
Batsman MilestonesBet on players reaching 50s or 100s based on the current strike rate and the way he is middling the ball.
Bowler Economy RateThis is perhaps the easiest bet. You can easily predict if the bowler will go for runs in the next over or not by looking at the way he bowled his previous overs.

Common Betting Mistakes to Avoid

Even seasoned punters can fall into traps. Here are some points to consider before betting in ICC Cricket World Cup.

  • Ignoring Toss Impact: Toss plays a major role, especially in ODI cricket. Toss defines the way you have to place your bet, as it also gives an overview of how the pitch is expected to behave.
  • Overvaluing Reputation: Bet based on current form, not legacy. Big names don’t always deliver.
  • Neglecting Venue Stats: Each stadium behaves differently—spin vs. pace, boundary sizes, etc. Choose wisely.
  • Chasing Losses: Emotional betting leads to poor decisions. Stick to pre-match analysis and bankroll discipline.
  • Ignoring Team News: Late injuries or changes can drastically affect match dynamics. Stay updated with the team news.

The History of the ICC Cricket World Cup

The ICC Cricket World Cup is the perennial tournament for not only One Day Internationals (ODIs), but for cricket itself. Organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC), the tournament was first held in England in 1975, just four years after the first official ODI match was played in 1971.

  • First Edition: 1975, England (60 overs per side)
  • Initial Format: Round-robin followed by knockout
  • First Winner: West Indies, led by Clive Lloyd
  • Overs Reduced: From 60 to 50 in 1987 due to shorter daylight in India/Pakistan

Since 1987, the tournament has evolved into a global phenomenon, and fans around the globe wait for 4 years in anticipation of who will be the next World Champion.

Memorable Matches & World Cup Upsets

India vs West Indies – 1983 Final

  • India scored just 183, but bowled out the mighty Windies for 140.
  • Kapil Dev’s catch to dismiss Viv Richards remains iconic.

Kenya vs West Indies – 1996 Group Stage

  • Kenya bowled out West Indies for 93, defending a modest 166.
  • One of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.

Ireland vs England – 2011

  • Chasing 328, Ireland won with Kevin O’Brien’s 113 off 63 balls.
  • Fastest World Cup century at the time.

Bangladesh vs India – 2007

  • India bundled out for 191, and Bangladesh chased it with 5 wickets to spare. It was Bangladesh’s first-ever World Cup victory over India, and to date, it remains their only World Cup win over India.
  • Knocked India out in the group stage.

Afghanistan vs England – 2023

  • Afghanistan posted 284, then bowled out England for 215.
  • Mujeeb and Rashid Khan spun a web around the defending champs.

Past Winners & Records (Table Format)

Check out the past winners of ODI World Cup,

YearWinnerRunner-upHost(s)Winning Captain
1975West IndiesAustraliaEnglandClive Lloyd
1979West IndiesEnglandEnglandClive Lloyd
1983IndiaWest IndiesEnglandKapil Dev
1987AustraliaEnglandIndia & PakistanAllan Border
1992PakistanEnglandAustralia & New ZealandImran Khan
1996Sri LankaAustraliaIndia, Pakistan & Sri LankaArjuna Ranatunga
1999AustraliaPakistanEnglandSteve Waugh
2003AustraliaIndiaSouth Africa, Zimbabwe, KenyaRicky Ponting
2007AustraliaSri LankaWest IndiesRicky Ponting
2011IndiaSri LankaIndia, Sri Lanka, BangladeshMS Dhoni
2015AustraliaNew ZealandAustralia & New ZealandMichael Clarke
2019EnglandNew ZealandEnglandEoin Morgan
2023AustraliaIndiaIndiaPat Cummins
  • Australia leads with 6 titles, followed by India and West Indies with 2 each.
  • England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka have won once.
  • New Zealand, Bangladesh, South Africa, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, and Ireland are the Test playing nations that have never won the ICC Cricket World Cup.

Top 5 Run-Getters in ODI World Cup History

PlayerCountryRunsMatchesAverage100s/50s
Sachin TendulkarIndia22784556.956 / 15
Virat KohliIndia17953759.835 / 12
Ricky PontingAustralia17434645.865 / 6
Rohit SharmaIndia15752860.577 / 6
Kumar SangakkaraSri Lanka15323756.745 / 7

Top 5 Wicket-Takers in ODI World Cup History

PlayerCountryWicketsMatchesAverageBest Figures
Glenn McGrathAustralia713918.197/15
Muttiah MuralitharanSri Lanka684019.634/19
Mitchell StarcAustralia652819.296/28
Lasith MalingaSri Lanka562922.876/38
Mohammed ShamiIndia551813.527/57

Why the ICC Cricket World Cup is Popular for Betting Fans

The ICC Cricket World Cup is one of the most-watched sporting events globally, rivaling even the FIFA World Cup in certain regions.

Metric2023 World Cup Data
Global Viewing MinutesOver 1 trillion live minutes
India Viewership (Disney Star)422 billion minutes
Video Views on ICC Platforms16.9 billion, up 158% from 2022
Broadcast Territories209 countries via 20 partners
Languages Covered in India9 (incl. Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali)

Why Betting Interest Spikes

The World Cup’s format offers predictable betting windows (Powerplay, middle overs, death overs), making it ideal for both pre-match and in-play wagers.

TriggerImpact on Betting
High-Stakes MatchesIndia vs Pakistan, knockouts, finals → surge in bets
Player Form & MilestonesBets on centuries, 5-wicket hauls, strike rates
Live In-Play BettingMomentum shifts → dynamic odds for next over, wicket
Venue BiasPitch behavior influences top bowler/batsman markets

Fan Culture & Emotional Investment

  • National Pride: Not just a sporting contest, fans treat World Cup matches as cultural events.
  • Social Media Buzz: Hashtags, memes, and live commentary drive real-time betting chatter.
  • Rivalries: Indo-Pak, Aus-Eng, South Africa-Australia, and India-Australia fixtures are bound to be exciting and keep the fans on their toes.

Live Coverage & Betting Tips Feed

  • Feed with all the betting tips for the ICC Cricket World Cup

Future Outlook

  • The next ICC World Cup will be held in 2027.
  • South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia will be co-hosting the event.
  • Namibia will be hosting the tournament for the very first time.
  • Unlike the 2023 edition, the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup will comprise 14 teams divided into two groups of 7 teams each.
  • Australia will enter the 2027 World Cup as the defending champions.

FAQ

When is the next ICC Cricket World Cup?

The next ICC Cricket World Cup is scheduled for 2027. South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia will host the tournament, which will feature 14 teams competing in a group and knockout format. Fans can expect the event to take place during the usual September–October window, though the exact dates are yet to be finalised.

Who has won the most titles?

Australia is the most successful team in Cricket World Cup history, with six titles to their name. Their dominance stretches from their first win in 1987 to their most recent triumph in 2023, making them the benchmark for consistency and success on the world stage.

Is betting on the ICC Cricket World Cup legal in India?

In 2025, India introduced the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, which bans operators from offering or promoting sports betting apps in the country. The law targets companies, not individual players, so while millions of fans still bet on cricket through international platforms, access to apps and payment options may be restricted. Players should always use reputable operators and stay informed about the latest legal updates.