One over can upset the odds

The ICC T20 World Cup starts from March 16 in Bangladesh. Who will win it? Who knows? According to betting websites like bwin.com and ladbrokes.com, here is how the odds are stacked.

Australia
Odds: 7/2
Why bet on them? This is a resurgent Australian team packed with talented cricketers - none more than Mitchell Johnson who is in top form. Australia have impact players like David Warner and Shane Watson, who can turn the game on its head. Coming on the back of wins in South Africa, Australia will be a very confident side.

What can upset the odds? Johnson may be absent because of a toe injury. The pitch will not be ideal for the bowlers and while the likes of Warner are in good batting form, the conditions aren't best suited to their style of cricket. If Australia are to win the tournament, they need Johnson fit and firing.

India
Odds: 11/2
Why bet on them? Quite frankly, don't bet on the one-time winner. But then again, in T20, form hardly matters and it's about performance on that particular day. M S Dhoni is under fire from some quarters and normally performs well under pressure. The conditions will suit Indian bowlers and batsmen and the squad is finely balanced.

What can upset the odds? In a tough group, Australia, West Indies and Pakistan are all formidable opponents in this format. One loss and the prospects will suddenly look dim. The bowling lineup looks inexperienced with Mohammed Shami, Varun Aaron and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Sri Lanka
Odds: 7/1
Why bet on them? Sri Lanka have a team best suited for the T20 format - experienced heads like Kumara Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan and contributors like Dinesh Chandimal and Lahiru Thirimanne. They know the conditions pretty well and will be hungry to win a major trophy for the first time since 1996.

What can upset the odds? Lasith Malinga, their star bowler, can be erratic at times and they depend on him a lot to give breakthroughs. The team also lacks a genuine world-class spinner. Their bowling could be their biggest weakness.

South Africa
Odds: 7/1

Why bet on them? Arguably the strongest squad in the tournament and one of the best fielding units. They've strength and depth in batting and bowling - Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel can be a handful for any batsman on any kind of pitch. Then there are formidable batsmen like A B De Villiers, David Miller and Quinton De Kock.

What can upset the odds? The favourite tag generally doesn't suit South Africa and they're known to "choke" in important games.

England
Odds: 14/1
Why bet on them? Not many would be betting on England to repeat their 2010 heroics and they will really have to raise the bar to win the tournament. Injuries haven't helped their cause as both Joe Root and Stuart Broad will miss out on the tournament.

What can upset the odds? After the drubbing in Australia and West Indies, they're a team low on confidence and struggling with injuries. Kevin Pietersen, one of the few match-winners England had, will be sorely missed.

West Indies
Odds: 13/2
Why bet on them? Chris Gayle. He can literally decimate any bowling attack on his own, which was evident in 2012 as well. Their players have a lot of Indian Premier League (IPL) experience which could come in handy.

What can upset the odds? Injuries to Kieron Pollard and Kemar Roach have left them considerably weakened. Gayle's inconsistency is another factor which could hamper their chances.

Pakistan
Odds: 7/2
Why bet on them? Because they are Pakistan and one of the most unpredictable teams in world cricket and T20 is all about unpredictability. Pakistan have enough talent to give any team a run for their money.

What can upset the odds? Inconsistency - one just doesn't know which Pakistan will turn up. They are in a tough group as well and their strike bowlers, Umar Gul and Junaid Khan, are going through an indifferent run of form.