It was a run fest to commence the New Zealand v India series.
Totals of 200+ would be enough to win most T20 matches. New Zealand would have been confident at the halfway stage on Friday. Half centuries from Colin Munro, Ross Taylor and the skipper Kane Williamson had propelled the Kiwis to 203/5 but India chased down the target with a full over to spare.
With Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer all finding form, the tourists look in good shape. We stay in Auckland for Sunday’s second game in this five-match series.
What are the cricket odds for New Zealand v India?
India started as clear favourites for Friday’s first encounter and it’s no surprise to see Kohli’s men strengthen that position. As soon as the tourists completed that six wicket victory, Bet365 installed India at the top of the market at odds of 1.50. That leaves New Zealand out at 2.62. While that looks a tempting figure, is there any chance of the outsiders converting?
New Zealand will need to maintain those 200+ totals but clearly their bowling could be an issue. Without Trent Boult, the Kiwis’ opening bowlers went for a combined economy rate of 12.25 in the opener. That will be a concern for the home selectors. We expect New Zealand to win at least once in this series but, following that impressive opening performance, India’s momentum should allow them to make it 2-0.
Match Odds Summary:
New Zealand: 2.62, India 1.50 (Bet365 – Editor’s Pick)
What are the top batsman odds for New Zealand v India?
Shreyas Iyer’s 59 from 29 balls was the key innings on Friday and it underlined the depth in India’s batting. There may have been concerns when Shikhar Dhawan had to withdraw through injury but clearly there is enough talent to compensate.
For Sunday’s second game in Auckland, Iyer is available at odds of 5.00 with Betway in India’s top batsman market while Virat Kohli goes off as favourite at 3.50 with Bet365. A Satta on Rohit Sharma will currently return odds of 3.75 while KL Rahul looks a value pick at 4.00.
The profit should be delivered by one of those four men but you could also consider Manish Pandey at 6.50 with Betway, Rishabh Pant at 7.00 or Shivam Dube at 13.00.
As we mentioned, three of New Zealand’s batsmen passed 50 on Friday as Colin Munro top scored with 59. For Sunday’s second match, Kane Williamson and Martin Guptill start as joint favourites at 4.00 while Munro follows at 4.33.
We’d earlier picked out Ross Taylor as a good value Satta and he is available this time at 5.00 while both Tim Seifert and Tom Bruce can be claimed at 7.50. The only other genuine contender in New Zealand’s top batsman market is Colin De Grandhomme who is quoted at 8.00.
Last time we tipped India’s Rohit Sharma but we’re going to switch our allegiance and opt for KL Rahul. With just one T20 World Cup opener’s slot available, Rahul has responded brilliantly with a run of impressive scores, including 56 from just 27 balls in Auckland on Friday.
It’s the consistency that’s impressed us; Rahul doesn’t even mind taking the wicket keeper’s gloves so he gets our backing for the second match.
Top Batsman Odds Summary
New Zealand: Williamson 4.00, Guptill 4.00, Munro 4.33, Taylor 5.00, Bruce 7.50, Seifert 7.50, De Grandhomme 8.00
India: Kohli 3.50, Sharma 3.75, Rahul 4.00 (Bet365 – Editor’s Pick), Iyer 5.00, Pandey 6.50, Pant 7.00, Dube 13.00
What are the most sixes odds for New Zealand v India?
One market that we will be sticking with for now is Most Sixes. The last game saw a rare tie in that regard. Despite losing the fixture, the Kiwis matched the tourists by ten maximums to ten. We’re looking for the home side to go one better this time.
India will start as favourites here at 1.90 with Bet365. However, we feel there is some value in New Zealand’s price of 2.25. Those explosive home hitters will need to lift their game even further. A profit here is comfortably within the Kiwis’ reach.
Most Sixes Odds Summary
New Zealand 2.25 (Bet365 – Editor’s Pick), India 1.90, The Tie 7.50
