ODI World Cup preview: Legend’s Steve Smith prediction, Aussies take on ‘unbeatable’ India

Australia begins their ODI World Cup against India and an Aussie cricket great has tipped one veteran to have a “big tournament”.

Adam Gilchrist believes Australia can win the ODI World Cup as the team seeks another major trophy before several veterans sail off into retirement.

One Day International cricket may be fading into irrelevancy in cricket’s four year cycles, but there is plenty on the line at the 50-over showpiece, which has got underway this weekend.

Australia has won five ODI World Cups, most recently in 2015 on home soil.

Eight years on, half of that winning team — David Warner, Steve Smith, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins — will look to claim another trophy as they edge further into their thirties.

Watch every match of The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Live on Kayo Sports. Starts THU 5 OCT 7:30PM AEDT. Join Kayo now and start streaming instantly >

“There’s probably going to be a lot of us that won’t make it to the next ODI World Cup,” Maxwell told news.com.au.

“So it’s a big year for a lot of us. To be able to go to India — I look through our list and India’s meant a lot to a lot of the players in our side. I think I’ve been there 28 or 29 times in my career.

“It’s an extremely special place. We know how much they love their cricket over there. There’s going to be sellouts. They’re loud, they’re the most passionate cricket supporters in the world.

“What a place it would be to hopefully win your third World Cup for a lot of us. We’re in a fortunate position to say we’ve been there and done that, but there’s a few of us in our squad who haven’t experienced that.

Australlia open their World Cup campaign against India. (Photo by NOAH SEELAM / AFP)

“To keep Australia’s World Cup winning habits going from the previous generations, that’s always going to be the legacy every Australian team has in every One Day tournament, keep that run of success.

“’99, 2003, 2007 — I remember watching those tournaments and I want kids to watch us now and go, ‘I remember 2015, I remember 2023’ and the successful sides that won World Cups.”

Can anyone beat King Kohli and India?

The home team has won the last three editions of the ODI World Cup (India in 2011, Australia in 2015 and England in 2019) and the stage is set for Virat Kohli’s crowning moment if India lift the trophy on home soil.

ICC trophies have been hard to come by for India, and Kohli will look to replicate Sachin Tendulkar in winning an ODI World Cup on home soil in the latter stages of his career.

“It’s set up well for him,” Gilchrist told news.com.au.

“And they’ll be very, very tough to beat in India. I think they start favourites but Australia and England could pose pretty big challengers to them.

“Kohli strikes me as a character that will mentally build himself up and be ready to go and fire in this one.”

India are favourites to win the World Cup at home. (Photo by International Cricket Council (ICC) / AFP)

But Gilchrist, who starred in Australia’s three-peat of ODI World Cup wins, believes Australia has the experience and firepower required to win their sixth ODI title.

“I think one of their (Australia’s) great strengths is their experience,” the former wicketkeeper said.

“Just the knowledge they’ve got, the time they’ve played in India, be it in T20 franchise cricket and just the amount of touring Australia has done in India. That breaks down a little bit of those challenges. The wealth of knowledge they’ve got.

“Pat has openly said he taps into guys like Davey and Smithy for their thoughts on tactics as part of the senior leadership group. I think they’re a team that has a really well balanced line-up and enough experience to be able to definitely challenge for this title.”

Smith tipped to star for Aussies

Gilchrist has tipped Steve Smith to star for the Aussies and believes he is well suited to the 50 over format.

“I think Steve Smith can have a really big tournament,” the Fox Cricket commentator said.

“He could be pivotal, where he comes in — if it’s around No. 4 or 5. There’s a possibility he could even be at the top of the order, although it looks like Travis Head and Davey will be doing that job.

“Fifty over cricket’s still got a lot of time where you can work through a tough period, build an innings and accelerate at the end.

“That’s Smith’s forte, to build and construct innings. He’s a craftsman. I think that’s going to be a valuable skill and asset to have over there.”

Adam Gilchrist is tipping Steve Smith to have a big tournament. (Photo by Punit PARANJPE / AFP)

Maxwell said being the home team at an ODI World Cup is “obviously an advantage”, but Australia doesn’t fear playing in India after playing in countless Indian Premier Leagues and international tours there.

“The only difference with India is they’ve opened their doors to overseas players in the IPL,” the all-rounder said.

“There’s a lot of players with experience over there so it’s no longer a foreign place for a lot of our players.

“We’ve seen Cameron Green score an IPL record, Mitch Marsh have success there. It’s no longer foreign to us.

“In 2011, even for a senior Australian team it was probably a bit foreign to play over there. But I think that feeling has passed these days.”

Pat Cummins will lead Australia at the ODI World Cup. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Fox Cricket expert commentator Chris Lynn believes while India are the favourites, they certainly aren’t “unbeatable”.

“India are masters in their home conditions. We’re going to have to play proactive cricket to beat the best,” Lynn told news.com.au.

“We’ve got the line-up to do it. It’s just whether we go out and play a positive brand of cricket, puff our chest out and do what Australia does best.”

So can Australia win the World Cup?

“Absolutely. We’ve got matchwinners throughout our line-up,” Lynn said.

“Mitchell Starc up front with the new ball is going to be absolutely crucial.”

“Yes India are good but they’re certainly not unbeatable.

Australia take on India in their first game of the World Cup at 7.30pm AEDT on Sunday nght.

“We’ve got India first up,” Lynn said.

“To be the best you’ve got to beat the best, and what a way it would be to start the campaign beating India.”

Every match of the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World up will be broadcast on Foxtel and Kayo Sports, with Hindi commentary options available for all India matches plus the semi-finals and final.