The shorter format will earn wider coverage in the coming months commencing with the India v Sri Lanka series. As we welcome in the New Year, focus will soon turn to the 2020 World Cup in Australia in October.
India and Sri Lanka are ready for three T20 internationals. The first one takes place in Guwahati on Sunday so let’s see what the sportsbooks make of it all.
What are the cricket odds for India v Sri Lanka?
Twenty20 cricket can always produce its share of surprise results but India will start as clear favourites. Virat Kohli’s men can be picked up at odds of 1.22 with Betway. That leaves Sri Lanka at 4.50. In the shortest format of the game, there will always be some hope for the outsiders.
Sri Lankan cricket is entering a recovery phase and the tourists may just put up a better fight. However, as we’ve seen in recent matches, their limited overs approach is a little too pedestrian for the modern game. And that continues to let them down. Over three matches, we may see another 2-1 outcome but expect India to avoid any slip ups as they start the New Year.
Match Odds Summary
India 1.22 (Betway – Editor’s Pick), Sri Lanka 4.50
What are the top batsman odds for India v Sri Lanka?
Rohit Sharma has been rested for this series. It is a decision that gives a number of players a chance to make an early claim for a place in India’s World Cup squad. Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul are set to open but it’s captain Kohli who leads India’s top batsman market.
Kohli is available at odds of 3.25 with Bet365 and he’s followed by Dhawan and Rahul who can both be claimed at 4.33. Elsewhere, Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer showed good form in the recent West Indies series and they are quoted at 5.00 and 6.50 respectively. Manish Pandey sandwiches them at 6.00 while Shivam Dube might just be the best outside satta at 9.00.
The biggest squad news from a Sri Lankan point of view is the return of Angelo Mathews. The former skipper used to be a power hitting threat in his side’s top batsman markets but for Sunday’s match, he’s out at odds of 8.00.
Kusal Mendis starts as the favourite for the tourists at 3.50. He’s followed by Dhananjaya De Silva and Kusal Perera who are both at 4.50. Along with Mathews, some outside sattas from Sri Lanka’s middle order might include Niroshan Dickwella at 5.00, Avishka Fernando at 5.50 and Dasun Shanaka at 7.50.
In India’s version of this market, Rahul has started to deliver with more consistency and he’s nicely priced at 4.33. However, we’ll switch back to Dhawan who returns to the side following injury.
With Sharma almost certain to open the innings in the T20 World Cup, the battle is on to line up alongside him. Dhawan tends to respond well to the pressure situations so we’ll back the left hander in this instance.
Top Batsman Odds Summary
India: Kohli 3.25, Rahul 4.33, Dhawan 4.33 (Bet365 – Editor’s Pick), Pant 5.00, Pandey 6.00, Iyer 6.50, Dube 9.00
Sri Lanka: Mendis 3.50, De Silva 4.50, Perera 4.50, Dickwella 5.00, Fernando 5.50, Shanaka 7.50, Mathews 8.00
What are the most fours in the match odds for India v Sri Lanka?
This isn’t a market that we consider too often but we think there could be some value in taking Sri Lanka here. Even in the glory days of Dilshan, Sangakkara and Jayawardene, the Sri Lankans were known for keeping the ball on the deck and relying less on the big power hitters in the middle order.
India may well win the alternative, most sixes bet but at 3.00 with Betway to record the most fours, we think that the visitors offer a decent value option with which to close out this first game.
Most Fours Odds Summary
India 1.44, Sri Lanka 3.00 (Betway – Editor’s Pick), The Tie 15.00
