It hardly seems fair for cricket punters that the Bookmakers are only offering odds of around the 5/4 mark for an England victory in this one only T20 international against India at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday.
Following a 0-5 whitewash in the ODI series, England surely have no chance to better a rampant India team in this shortened format, even though England are the current number one T20 team in the world as well as world champions. At least Bet365 Bookmakers are offering the slightly better odds of 11/8 for England to come home on a high, however, they also quote far more realistic 4/7 odds for a win by India.
The problem for England captain, Alistair Cook and his men is the rampaging nature of the India batsmen, from the openers, Ajinkya Rahane and Robin Uthappa right through to the India skipper, MS Dhoni at number 6. All of them are capable of making a match winning innings and worse still for Cook, they are all in the form to do so.
Rahane is a prolific run scorer, with a sound technique and a player that can score rapidly while remaining a very dependable anchor. Uthappa is a big hitter who gets his chance following the withdrawal of Ghambir, he has been in great form for his club this season and was instrumental in India’s T20 World Cup win of 2007. The middle order of Raina, Kohli and Pathan is probably the most potent in T20 cricket right now, all three have fearsome strike rates but it is Kohli and Raina who are capable of going on to achieve a seriously big score. Raina in fact is the only player from the India team to have recorded a T20 International 100, which he achieved against S Africa in 2010, scoring 101 of just 60 balls.
If those five are not enough to win the match for India, then there is always MS Dhoni himself, who was in terrific form in the ODI series and will be in determined mood to see England off with their tails between their legs. The current odds of 7/2 available from Bet365.com suggest that the top India batsman will either be Rahane or Kohli.
With Kevin Pietersen a big doubt to play due to a very badly bruised thumb, the run getting responsibility becomes a trifle harder for England, with perhaps Cook having to burden himself with the responsibility of sticking around the longest. Cook in fact was not originally selected for the T20 squad but might be called in as cover. His ODI opening partner, Craig Kieswetter has been installed as the favourite to be Englands top batsmen with odds of 3/1 available from bet365 and he looks the safest option as it is far from certain who will make the starting line up for this last match. Ravi Bopara is a 5/1 odds against option currently, but Joe Butler with odds of 6/1 looks a reasonable bet, although his lack of experience on the sub-continent may have an adverse affect. Ian Bell is certain to play, but he is not renowned for his big hitting displays, although he can score quickly and has a sound technique against spin.
Bowling wise for India, the obvious choice to finish with the most wickets in this match is Ravi Ashwin, who has been ‘making hay’ in the ODI series, and has odds of 11/4 to be top man in this match. However, should India give ‘quickie’ Varun Aaron a chance, he will come into the game firing on all cylinders and being the fastest bowler in India these days could well upstage his team mates. He has odds of 5/1, which looks a very good betting option and are preferred to the 3/1 on offer about Praveen Kumar and the 4/1 on offer for Vinay Kumar.
England’s bowlers have failed to ‘cover themselves in glory’ in the ODI series but one player, Steven Finn, sticks out as the most likely to upset the swashbuckling India attack. He is second favourite to take the England bowling honours with odds of 3/1 with the favourite being Graeme Swann at 11/4.
Despite being T20 World Cup Champions, this match has come along at a time when all England want to do is go home. They have been hammered in the ODI series and would rather not risk further humiliation by losing a T20, particularly as they are world champions. However, stay and play they must but with the momentum being all India’s right now there seems little doubt that they should see off England without too much difficulty.
England v India T20 Tips
Tip 1: Suresh Raina to be Top Batsman for India @ 4/1 with Bet365.com
Tip 2: Vinay Kumar to be Top Bowler for India @ 5/1 with Bet365.com
Tip 3: Steven Finn to be Top Bowler for England @ 3/1 with Bet365.com
Match Betting
4/7 India
11/8 England
Top England Batsman Odds
3/1 Craig Keiswetter
7/2 Alex Hales
4/1 Ian Bell
5/1 Ravi Bopara
6/1 Joe Butler
Top India Batsman Odds
7/2 Virat Kohli
7/2 Ajinkya Raina
4/1 Suresh Raina
4/1 Robin Uthappa
5/1 MS Dhoni
7/1 Yusuf Pathan
All betting odds have been provided by Bet365.com who will be operating in-play betting market throughout this T20 International.
Posted: Thursday, 27th October 2011
Author: Rodney Wise
Tags: t20 international, england, india, bet365,
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