World Cup 2019: 4 teams likely to breach the first 500 run total in ODIs

Over the years we have seen that balance of play has shifted more towards batsmen than bowlers. This trend has been more noticeable in the ODI format where teams back themselves to score 350 easily. Teams even kick on and score more than 400 but no one has been able to score 500 runs in ODIs till now.

England came close to achieving that feat against Australia last year when they scored 481. At one stage, it seemed that England will breach the 500 run barrier but Australia bowled well in the death overs and it was not to be the case.

Pitches were very flat in the ODI series between England and Pakistan. If pitches are similar in the World Cup, it won't be a surprise if some team manages to break the 500 run barrier in ODI cricket.

Let us look at some of the teams which have the ability to break the 500 run barrier in the World Cup:

#1 India

India has one of the most potent top-order in the tournament. Each batsman in the top three has the ability to get big scores which makes the batting line-up dangerous. If one of these three can kick on, India can put any score on the board as they have the ability to accelerate in the death overs.

While the middle order is yet to be sorted but lower middle order is packed with batsmen who can hit sixes at will. MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya were in exceptional form in the ICC World Cup so they must be high on confidence.

The two-time world champions would need a good start from the top-order. If they can that good start, then likes of Pandya and Dhoni can come into play. Hence, putting a score of over 500 on the board might not be beyond the reach.