Astrologer Greenstone Lobo who predicted Lionel Messi's Copa win now predicts ICC World Cup winner - What are India's chances after R Ashwin's inclusion?

India brought the coveted ICC ODI Men's World Cup trophy home after 28 years when they last hosted the tournament in 2011.

Prior to that, the only other time India was champion was when they won a maiden World Cup title in 1983. 

MORE: Bet on the Cricket World Cup here (selected territories)

Back on home soil this year, they are the favourites for the 2023 tournament. India has a power-packed team including stars like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and the return of Jasprit Bumrah. 

Will Rohit Sharma's men in blue be able to achieve the same feat and win the title in front of a roaring home crowd? 

Astrologer Greenstone Lobo came up with his predictions. He had correctly predicted the winners of the past three editions and has now come up with another bold prophecy.

Interestingly, he predicted that Lionel Messi would win the 2021 World Cup before the tournament started and the Argentine did go on to lift his first-ever international trophy after beating arch-rivals Brazil in the final. 

Messi finally wins the Cup that matters to him the most.
Happy to have predicted this even before the start of the COPA!https://t.co/bbJuQXZaDO

— GREENSTONE LOBO (@GreenstoneLobo) July 11, 2021

What is Greenstone Lobo's prediction for the ICC 2023 World Cup? Can India win it?

When Lobo was asked how did he predict the previous winners he said, "The greatest achievers and captains in sports are born in patches. The 1981 patch was phenomenal and produced two World Cup captains – 2011 won by MSD and 2015 won by Michael Clarke. I just had to identify these patches like these.

"I look at clues from other sports and connect them to planetary positions. The 2018 football World Cup was won by 1986-born – Hugo Lloris. The biggest tennis great was 1981 born Roger Federer who was overtaken by 1986 born Rafael Nadal. All 1986 born have the planets Uranus and Neptune in the strongest positions at 25 and 12 degrees respectively.

"Let's look at other sports again – A 1986 born is always succeeded by a 1987 born! The record of Rafael Nadal was better by the 1987-born Novak Djokovic, the 2022 football World Cup was won by a 1987-born Lionel Messi."

Do you believe in Astrology ?

Do you believe in #NumbersandStars ?

If Yes, stay tuned with CricketNext as we bring to you some exciting predictions made by astrologer @GreenstoneLobo ahead of the #WorldCup2023

Premiers at 4⃣PM 🕓 today! pic.twitter.com/bCU1vVR2WY

— News18 CricketNext (@cricketnext) October 1, 2023

When pressed about his guess for the Cricket World Cup in 2023, he said: "Yes, you got it! My biggest astrological favourite to win this time is 1987-born Rohit Sharma going on to win the biggest prize in cricket. There are very high chances. Because no other country has a captain who is born in 1987. 

"Last time when I predicted that India will not win, then people abused me a lot. But now I am very happy to say that India have really great chances of winning."

He further added: "We need to be aware of 1990-born Captains – Jos Buttler of England, Temba Bavuma of South Africa, and Babar Azam of Pakistan, who could have been born earlier than what his official records suggest. I’m categorically ruling out Australia from winning this World Cup. Pat Cummins, a 1993 born cannot win this world Cup. Even New Zealand doesn’t have a chance to win this time!"

MORE: India Cricket World Cup squad, full list of players for 2023 tournament

India ODI Cricket World Cup record

The 2023 tournament hosts have a strong record on the global stage, and over the years they have reached four semi-finals, participated in three finals and won two of them in the ODI format.

Here's India's ODI Cricket World Cup record by tournament:

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India Cricket World Cup 2023 predictions, odds

Fans' opinions about India's chances at the 2023 World Cup are divided. While some believe the hosts will be able to create the same magic as the team did in 2011, others think that India’s inconsistency with players, the complicated decision-making and lack of clarity of roles might just lead to another playoff exit for the country.

The sportsbooks, however, mark them as the tournament favourites.

Pre-tournament odds to win Cricket World Cup 2023, as of September 2023. Click here or the links below to make your bet.

Or fans in the UK can click here for the latest betting offers and free bets on the Cricket World Cup.