Since Australia's run of dominance saw them claim three-in-a-row between 1999 and 2007, retaining the Cricket World Cup has proved to be a tricky proposition.
Before those great sides led by Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting ruled the world, West Indies were the only team to have retained the ICC ODI crown, backing up glory in the inaugural edition in 1975 with another success again in 1979.
But, after the Windies' shocking failure to qualify for the 2023 tournament, one of their modern greats is now backing England to match the exploits of Clive Lloyd’s men four-and-a-half decades ago.
England ended their long wait for victory at a 50-over World Cup when Eoin Morgan's side edged out New Zealand amid Super Over drama at Lord's in 2019.
Now, playing under the leadership of Jos Buttler and with Test captain Ben Stokes back in the fold after a brief ODI retirement, Gayle believes England have what it takes to go all the way this time around when the tournament begins in India on October 5.
Speaking to 'The Spirit of Cricket' podcast, produced by DafaNews and The Sporting News (full episode available here), Gayle pondered the tricky question of predicting four semi-finalists.
"I want a top five! India, Pakistan, Australia, England and I want to add New Zealand to that as well," he said. "New Zealand are always in the semi-finals."
Pushed to pick a winner, he was more decisive.
"I'll go with England back-to-back."
England or anyone else winning would mean heartbreak for the host nation. India held their nerve under suffocating pressure to lift the trophy on home soil in 2011 and are many people’s favourites to go the distance once again.
Virat Kohli was a young star of that side. Twelve years later, he is now a former captain and indisputably one of the finest batters of his generation. At 34, could this be Kohli’s final shot at World Cup glory?
"Without a doubt he will have at the back of his mind that this could be his last World Cup," said Gayle, a former team-mate of Kohli’s with Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL.
"If India don't win the World Cup it might be a bit of a worry for him to play the next one as well. But he’s a fit guy. He can go on for five more years with ease.
"The main point is India winning the World Cup. He's India's best player. He's a fantastic guy to lead the batting from the front with Rohit Sharma. This is going to be at the back of his mind, that if I don't win this World Cup I'm in trouble.
"He's going to score runs, without a doubt. He's a run machine. The [overall] result is what’s going to be key for the India team and him."
Who will win the 2023 Cricket World Cup?
England are the second favourites for the 2023 World Cup title. The pre-tournament odds from Dafabet are as follows:
| Team | Odds (Dafabet) |
|---|---|
| India | 3.25 |
| England | 4.50 |
| Australia | 5.00 |
| Pakistan | 8.00 |
| New Zealand | 9.00 |
