With the India against England ODI series containing just three matches both sides will be eager to get off to a winning start when they meet in the first game of the series in Pune on Sunday.
Whoever wins this first match will go one up with two to play and have two cracks at winning the series later in the week. The losers will be in the last chance saloon so this first match is big in terms of the series.
India
This Indian side are missing a few players but they have such depth these days with the Indian Premier League churning out lots of talent that the conveyor belt just has the next one stepping up and looking the part. That happened in the Test series and I fully expect it to happen in this format too.
If India are going to deliver the goods in this series then their change bowlers will need to be right on it. We know that their spinners will put pressure on England’s batsmen but on flat pitches where England can hit through the line the seamers will need to do things differently to get the job done.
England
England look like they are taking this series seriously. They sent everyone from the Big Bash across to India early to take part in the two warm up matches and having had those games they should be in a position to strike right from the start in terms of match sharpness. The warm up matches might well have given us a sign as to how England will go.
I would fancy England in a run chase on most occasions with the batting depth they have so their fortunes in the series will depend on how their bowling attack goes. If the wickets are flat throughout the series then the seamers are going to be up against it so the onus will be on the spinners to take wickets in the middle overs.
Team News
India are without Rohit Sharma for this match. Shikhar Dhawan looks set to return at the top of the order while Yuvraj Singh has been recalled. Virat Kohli skippers the side permanently for the first time.
England have some decisions to make. If they keep the same balance as they showed in the warm up matches there may not be any room for Jonny Bairstow. Alex Hales will slot back in at the top of the order. Liam Dawson will hope to start.
Betting
I’m not going to be betting on the match outcome much in this series before we know the outcome of the toss. As I’ve said already I expect the chasing side to have a significant advantage so until we know who is batting second I’ll take one from the side markets.
That comes in the sixes line which looks a little on the low side at 10.5. This isn’t a big ground in Pune and I don’t expect anything in the pitches to detract from the batsmen so the big hits should flow. Both bowling attacks are weak in these conditions and both batting line ups are full of power, quality and depth. The sixes should flow here.
Tips
WON – Back 11 or more sixes for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Bet365
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