Being an international cricketer is a non-stop profession, especially if you’re an Indian player.
The recent ICC ODI World Cup runners-up are seeing no respite in their hectic international season, making it more evident why different players are selected for the different formats of the game these days.
India started 2023 by hosting Sri Lanka in three ODI and three T20 matches, and a late November Sri Lankan Cricket announcement has revealed that Sri Lanka will reciprocate by hosting the Indian white-ball teams in a similar series in July 2024.
The bilateral series, consisting of three matches in both the ODI and T20 format, will take place shortly after the conclusion of the ICC T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies starting in June next year.
India is listed as the T20 World Cup favourites on many Singapore, and indeed, world betting sites, with odds of 10/3. Odds determine how much punters make from successful wagers. As such, it is important that value can be found and its presentation is clear and correct. Odds are available to view in American, decimal and fractional formats in most cases, but should be adjustable to the punters’ preferences.
If, as anticipated by the odds these bookmakers’ are offering, the Men in Blue progress deep into the tournament, the likelihood of a break between the ICC event and the Sri Lankan tour seems remote. Combined with the extensive schedule that Indian teams and players will experience before the ICC T20 World Cup, some pretty tired batsmen and bowlers will board the flight to Sri Lanka!
Before the new year even starts, the Indian cricketers are continually active. At the time of writing, Indian squads in all three international formats are en route to South Africa for a fully-fledged tour. First, the T20 team plays three matches from 10-14 December.
Following these, the ODI team takes the field in three ODIs from 17-21 December. Finally, the Test squad sees action in a two-Test series beginning on the day after Christmas. The second Test takes place from 3 January 2024.
As the home side, South Africa are slight bookmakers’ favourites in both the T20 and ODI series, both of which should be hotly contested. Although India is the top-ranked team in Test cricket, South Africa’s home record is good, so the chances of a drawn Test series are decent.
Following the South African tour, India will play three T20 matches against Afghanistan in January before hosting England at home in a five-Test series. Then, from March until the end of May, it’s the turn of the IPL, where practically every Indian international cricketer is involved.
Those Indian cricketers whose franchises aren’t successful in the IPL may be afforded a short break before the ICC T20 World Cup starts on 4 June. Those who make the IPL playoffs won’t see much rest, however, as the World Cup starts within a week of the IPL final. The 20 best International T20 sides compete for glory until the winner is decided in the World Cup final on 30 June 2024. Then, as mentioned, it’s off to Sri Lanka for the Indians. Although the success of the Boys in Blue makes it all worthwhile, constant travelling and continuous cricket must still be a test for maintaining form and a positive mindset.
