International Cricket Teams: An Expert View
International cricket began in 1877 with a historically famous Test match between England and Australia. Since then, dozens of countries have joined the sport, and the formats have expanded significantly: from classic five-day Test matches to fast-paced T20I ones.
Top betting experts from cricket-betting.com.in will describe the main formats for you, namely Test, ODI, and T20I, and how different national teams perform in them. Read on to be prepared for cricket betting.
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Main Cricket Formats
There are 3 main cricket match formats. Betting experts at cricket-betting.com.in have prepared a brief description for you, so take a look at it to be informed:
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Test
A format for those who value strategy and endurance. Five-day matches, where technique and tactics come to the fore;
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ODI (One Day Internationals)
A compromise between a long Test format and shorter ones. Each team plays 50 overs;
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T20I (Twenty20 Internationals)
The fastest and most spectacular format, designed for 20 overs, is ideal for live betting and express bets.
The organization of all official international matches is supervised by the ICC (International Cricket Council). It regulates the rules, tournament formats, and rating system. The ICC also monitors the fairness of matches through the Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) and is responsible for holding global tournaments such as the ICC World Cup, T20 World Cup, and ICC World Test Championship.
The Most Famous International Cricket Teams
Today, 12 countries have full ICC membership and play in all three formats. These teams form the core of international cricket. Here is a quick overview of the key teams from a betting perspective.
| Team | Description |
|---|---|
| India | One of the strongest teams in the world and the main favorites in most tournaments. It dominates most T20 and ODI matches. Strengths: depth of squad, consistency in batting, and bowling variety. |
| Australia | Five-time ODI World Champions. The team possesses the strongest scorers and bowlers in the world. It performs well in all conditions but is especially dangerous on the fast pitches. |
| England | A team that has revolutionized the approach to ODI and T20 matches. In 2025, they are still in the top 3 in all formats. They rely on aggression from the first overs, especially in T20. |
| New Zealand | Regular semi-finalists and finalists of the most famous tournaments. They play in an organized manner and rarely make mistakes. An excellent choice for betting on underdogs. |
| Pakistan | A very unstable but talented team. They can beat and lose to anyone. This choice is great for risky express bets and bets on individual bowler performances. |
| South Africa | This team is constantly in the top 6. They have excellent batsmen but often fail psychologically in finals. We think this team is ideal for betting on in the group stage. |
| Sri Lanka | After a temporary slump, the team has started to show decent results again, especially at home. It is often underestimated by bookmakers. |
| Bangladesh | A team capable of bringing surprise results, especially at home. It performs well against average opponents, but rarely beats top ones. It is an excellent choice for handicaps or individual totals. |
| Afghanistan | A bright team with strong spin bowling. It is suitable for betting on low totals of opponents or the individual performance of Rashid Khan. |
| Ireland | This stable participant of ICC tournaments can surprise in conditions with a mild climate. It is good for betting on handicaps or totals, especially in rainy weather. |
Team ratings and how to use them in betting
The International Cricket Council (ICC) ratings are updated regularly and cover all three formats: Test, ODI, and T20I. They are formed according to a complex system that takes into account victories, the strength of the opponent, the conditions, and the importance of the match. For a bettor, ratings are an indicator of form and stability.
- Test
- ODI
- T20I
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Test
As of 2025, New Zealand, India, and Australia are leaders. Test matches are all about endurance, strategy, and the ability to play on difficult pitches. When betting, pay attention to:
- Who is playing at home;
- Bowling level (especially if we talk about Asian teams);
- Weather conditions such as rain often lead to draws in Test matches.
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ODI
England, India, and New Zealand are leading in this format. This is an ideal choice for betting on totals, individual records, and the most successful player. Also, more important here are:
- Experience of batsmen;
- Depth of the squad (influence of #6-7 in the batting line);
- Results of head-to-head matches between teams.
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T20I
Currently at the top are England, Australia, and India. In this format, everything is decided by details, because one mistake and the match is lost. We think the most suitable sports markets to bet on a T20I match are:
- Bets on individual players (50+, 2+ sixes, best bowler);
- First innings total of the team;
- Win on the last over (a live betting market).
Conclusion from our experts
International cricket in 2025 is an arena of opportunities for smart betting. With many teams, formats, and tournaments, it is important for a bettor to understand who is playing, in what conditions, on what pitch, and with what lineup.
We, however, remind that strategy is more important than emotion. Don’t bet on your favorite team blindly, but analyze. Consider the ICC rating, the players’ form, the latest results, and the features of the pitch. You don’t have to be a statistician to do this – just use ready-made data sources and advice from professionals.
And most importantly, follow the tournaments. International cricket is a stable flow of events, where you can always find value.