Australia, Not India, Favourites to Win World Cup 2015, Global Betting Trends Suggest
Australia have won the World Cup four times already and global betting trends suggest they could win it a fifth time.
World Cup 2015 co-hosts Australia are the overwhelming favourites to win the tournament, if global betting trends are any indication. The Aussies will take on 1992 champions Pakistan in the third quarter-final on Friday at the Adelaide Oval and odds suggest they have a 33 per cent chance of winning the World Cup. (Full World Cup Coverage | Standings | Fixtures | Photos)
However, defending champions India, who have so far been unbeaten in this edition of the World Cup, have been given only 18 per cent chance of retaining the trophy. MS Dhoni's men won all their six league games and could face Australia (or Pakistan) in the semi-final, provided they beat Bangladesh in their last-eight clash on Thursday at the Adelaide Oval. (India Favourites to Win Quarter-Final vs Bangladesh)
Australia had won the World Cup in 1987, 1999, 2003 and 2007. Playing on home-soil, the Australians were pre-tournament favourites to win the trophy for a record fifth time. Australia had a great start to their campaign, crushing England but a washout against Bangladesh and a one-wicket defeat to New Zealand resulted in a second-spot finish in Pool A. (India Relaxed Before Quarter-Final vs Bangladesh)
The Michael Clarke-led team will take on Pakistan, who have been severely hampered with injuries before and during the World Cup.
Meanwhile, New Zealand, who have been in sensational form, winning all their six league games have better prospects of lifting the World Cup than India. The Black Caps have never won the coveted trophy but home conditions and their incredible form give them an impressive 20 per cent chance of creating history. The Kiwis play their quarter-final against West Indies on Saturday and will face either South Africa or Sri Lanka in the semi-final, if they get that far. (Related: South Africa Eye Sri Lanka Knockout Blow)
Sri Lanka, who made it to the finals in 2007 and 2011, have a mere five percent chance of winning this year's World Cup. They won the tournament way back in 1996.
Percentage chances of winning the tournament:
1. Australia 33%
2. New Zealand 20%
3. India 18%
4. South Africa 18%
5. Sri Lanka 5%
6. Pakistan 3%
7. West Indies 2%
8. Bangladesh 1%