There are plenty of English cricket enthusiasts who have done their dough cold in the post summer one day tournament in India. England arrived on the sub-continent with an impressive summer record and would have been riding high on the wave of success. It’s just someone forgot to tell India – perhaps they did – since they came out and walloped England 5-0 in the one day series. The two teams now venture on to the T20 competition and while England are currently the world champions, that will count for naught when they take to the field.
India have had a real resurgence following their dismal campaign in England over the summer. They came out with all guns firing in the one day competition and England had few answers – even their world number one ranked bowler failed – miserably too with only two wickets from five games. He has suddenly slipped from number one to number three in the rankings.
Of course, the T20 competition is another game altogether and while some of the one day players have been retained, the English side has been boosted by the addition of several T20 specialists. England will certainly be looking for a win just to re-establish some pride. Bookmakers have deserted England making India odds favourites at 8/13 to win. England are 7/5 to win, however, the best odds will be found in the special betting arena.
Craig Kieswetter is the 3/1 favourite in the top English batter betting with the injured Kevin Pietersen next best at 7/2 Peitersen is a risk at that price since he may not even play. Alex Hales is 4/1 and well worth consideration while Ian Bell at 15/4 is overdue for a good score.
Selecting the top Indian batsman will be difficult with most of them in reasonable form. Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli head the betting at 7/2 closely followed by Suresh Raina and Robin Uthappa at 4/1.
We’re tipping India to continue on their winning way, however, at 8/13, they’re not worth backing. Instead, we’re tipping Bell to top score for India and Virat Kohli for India – they are both reasonably priced and will deliver a profit should either one win.