India vs Netherlands Prediction and Betting Tips: Back Sharma to top score

It's the final match of the group stages of the 2023 Cricket World Cup on Sunday as current table-toppers and tournament favourites India take on The Netherlands, who have already been knocked out of the competition and are playing for pride. India head to Bangalore with a stunning eight wins out of eight and will be red-hot favourites to maintain their 100% record going into the semi-finals.

Our man Steve Chambers previews the final pool match and picks out his two best bets for what is likely to be a very one-sided affair.

With top spot already assured it will be fascinating to see what India decide to do with their starting XI against the Netherlands, who sit bottom of the table having only picked up two wins. Do India go full throttle once again to maintain the momentum they have built up over this tournament, which has seen them dominate a host of their matches, or do they rest players ahead of an epic semi-final next week?

The likelihood is that India will remain strong as they won't want the batsmen to lose form, while the bowlers, who have skittled the opposition on several occasions this tournament, will want to remain at full speed. On the contrary, the Netherlands have found it tough and while they picked up a momentous victory over South Africa they have struggled for any consistency and that is why they are as big as 14/1 to cause an almighty shock, while an Indian win is 1/33 with the bookmakers.

Much has been made about Virat Kohli's batting exploits at this Cricket World Cup with the legendary batsman amassing a whopping 543 runs to date, but Rohit Sharma has often been the man to set a solid platform for Kohli to have freedom at number three and the Indian captain Sharma can top score for India on Sunday.

Sharma has hit 442 runs in the tournament and will certainly be licking his lips at the opportunity to try and hit big runs against a Netherlands bowling attack that certainly lacks star quality. Sure to be on the front foot from the first ball it would be no shock to see Sharma unleash from the first over and it would be no surprise to see him hit a swashbuckling century inside the first half of India's innings.

One of the best one-day players of the modern era, Sharma is an eye-catching 11/4 with BoyleSports to be top India batsman, while the 6/1 for him to be Man Of The Match also appeals in a game that could see him pile on the runs for a rampant batting line-up that could easily amass 400+, if batting first.

With 14 wickets in the Cricket World Cup, Netherlands star Bas de Leede has been one of the shining beacons for the Dutch and he can sparkle once again and be crowned Top Netherlands bowler in Sunday's clash. He may be on the end of some big hitting, but he's shown that he's a regular wicket-taker and having bagged seven wickets from his last three matches then he's the man to follow.

Available at an eye-catching 7/2 with BoyleSports, de Leede has had some tough outings this tournament and was hit for a whopping 115 runs by Australia in the tournament, but he has been getting wickets with frequency, which is the main goal when backing a top bowler, and he can sparkle in what could be a very tough encounter.