Backing the visitors to win the first ODI of this India v Australia series wouldn’t have been a popular option. But boy were Australia always going to be dangerous! The two sides looked evenly matched throughout last year’s World Cup and when India were dismissed for just 255, we sensed they would be in trouble.
Few, however, would have expected the Aussies to chase down their target without losing a wicket and the home side now need to provide a big response. They’ll get the chance to do just that on Friday when the teams meet in Rajkot for the second game but how has that opening result affected the markets?
What are the cricket odds for India v Australia?
The match result betting has narrowed for Friday’s ODI but India remain favourites at 1.80 with Bet365. Having claimed Australia at 2.25 last time out, we find that Aaron Finch’s men have shortened to odds of 2.00.
Those Aussie openers thrived in Mumbai but the key to levelling this series lies with India’s batters. The first choice attack of Starc and Cummins applied the pressure during the key overs and the hosts need their big name players – Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma – to stand up.
It’s a tight call but our first Satta of the game goes to India. We expect a bigger effort from the batsmen and this close series really does deserve a decider.
Match Odds Summary
India 1.80 (Bet365 – Editor’s Pick), Australia 2.00
What are the top batsmen odds for India v Australia?
Shikhar Dhawan top scored with 74 in Mumbai and while it was a disappointing effort overall, it was good to see the left hander return to form. Dhawan can be backed at odds of 5.00 with Betway for Friday’s game in a market where Virat Kohli starts as favourite at 3.50.
Rohit Sharma at 3.60 and KL Rahul at 5.50 help to form a formidable top four but there are other options. If Rishabh Pant comes through his injury scare you can pick up the keeper at 9.00 while Shreyas Iyer is at 8.00 and Shivam Dube at 9.50.
For Australia, Steve Smith was the favourite in some places last time out but the former skipper didn’t even get to the crease. David Warner and Aaron Finch blasted the tourists home with twin tons and the Aussies are looking in good, all-round shape.
For Friday’s game in Rajkot, Warner becomes the new favourite to top score at 3.50 while Smith follows at 4.00 Finch could be considered as a value Satta at 4.33 and then we have a gap to Marnus Labuschagne at 6.50.
We’d only be looking at those four names in Australia’s top batsman betting but what are the other options? Peter Handscomb is next at 7.50. And Alex Carey and D’Arcy Short follow at 8.00.
We feel it may be time for Virat Kohli to make a difference but, having picked one favourite so far, we’d like some higher odds. One player that has impressed us in recent weeks is KL Rahul and he continued a strong run of form with a patient 47 in Mumbai.
Rahul has always had the talent but he’s now adding consistency to his game so we’ll back him to make the biggest Indian contribution on Friday.
Top Batsman Odds Summary
India: Kohli 3.50, Sharma 3.60, Dhawan 5.00, Rahul 5.50 (Bet365 – Editor’s Pick), Iyer 8.00, Pant 9.00, Dube 9.50
Australia: Warner 3.50, Smith 4.00, Finch 4.33, Labuschagne 6.50, Handscomb 7.50, Carey 8.00, Short 8.00
What are the most sixes odds for India v Australia?
We’ll cover our match Satta by taking outsiders Australia to score most maximums in this second ODI. On Wednesday, the Aussies smashed five maximums and while India came close with four, we are looking for a similar outcome.
There are good odds on each pick in this market but Betway have a generous price on Australia of 2.37 and that will hopefully add up to another profit for us as this thrilling series moves forward.
Most Sixes Odds Summary
India 2.00, Australia 2.37 (Betway – Editor’s Pick), The Tie 8.50
