We’ve already seen some dramatic cricket at the start of the New Year but now it’s time for two titans of the game to face off: India v Australia. Both teams are both in superb form as they come into this ODI series and for once, it’s going to be tough to predict where this is going.
The first of three matches takes place in Mumbai on Tuesday so let’s start by seeing what the sportsbooks make of things.
What are the cricket odds for India v Australia?
The bookmakers come down in favour of India here. You can pick up the home side at odds of 1.66 with Bet365. That leaves the Australians to follow at 2.25 with Betway and there should be some support for the outside Satta.
We expected India to be favourites but this may be a tight series and another 2-1 scoreline looks likely. The home side are at full strength but the Aussies have also brought a first choice squad. David Warner, Aaron Finch, Mitchell Starc, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne are all raring to go.
Smith and Labuschagne may be seen as too pedestrian in test cricket but we think they’ll make a difference here. We rarely back against India and we expect them to edge the series but the Aussies can be fast starters. That strong batting line up offers value for the outside pick!
Match Odds Summary
India: 1.66, Australia: 2.25 (Betway – Editor’s Pick)
What are the top batsman odds for India v Australia?
Rohit Sharma returns having been rested for the Sri Lanka T20is and with Virat Kohli leading the side, India are back to full strength. Captain Kohli is favourite to top score for the hosts at 3.25 with Bet365. Rohit follows at 3.50 while Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul can both be claimed at 4.50.
We expect Rishabh Pant to return after being rested for the final Sri Lankan T20i. He can be picked up at 7.50. Meanwhile, other options for India include Shreyas Iyer at 7.00, Manish Pandey at 7.00, Shivam Dube at 9.00 and Kedar Jadhav at 11.00.
In Australia’s top batsman market, David Warner and Steve Smith start as joint favourites at 3.75. Skipper Aaron Finch follows at 4.00 and then we have a gap to Marnus Labuschagne at 6.50. Your winner should come from that group of four names. You could also take a Satta on Peter Handscomb at 7.50, D’Arcy Short at 8.00 or Alex Carey at 8.00.
If you’re looking for an Australian batsman, we would suggest backing Aaron Finch. The captain tends to be a fast starter in any series and at odds of 4.00, he offers a little more value than the favourites.
Our pick, however, is for Rohit Sharma to top score for India. Rohit is also known for making early impacts and he’ll be fresh and ready to make a major contribution.
Top Batsman Odds Summary
India: Kohli 3.25, Sharma 3.50 (Bet365 – Editor’s Pick), Rahul 4.50, Dhawan 4.50, Pandey 7.00, Iyer 7.00, Pant 7.50, Dube 9.00, Jadhav 11.00
Australia: Warner 3.75, Smith 3.75, Finch 4.00, Labuschagne 6.50, Handscomb 7.50, Short 8.00, Carey 8.00
What are the hundred to be scored in the match odds for India v Australia?
Our last Satta takes odds of 1.66 with Bet365 on any batsman from either side to score a hundred. The price may not be exciting but, having taken the outsiders to win this match, we wanted to play safer with our final pick.
With so many players capable of passing the three figure mark, it should drop. It’s worth noting that we’ve seen these odds shorten to 1.40 at times. Kohli, Rohit, Rahul, Finch, Warner, Smith – surely at least one of those batters will kick the series off with a century and contribute to our profits at the end of the day’s play.
Hundred to be Scored in the Match Odds Summary
Yes 1.66 (Bet365 – Editor’s Pick), No 2.20
