The opening T20 between India and Australia will take place on Saturday when Ranchi graces the two sides. With this being a three match series both sides will be eager to get this first match under their belts to take a stranglehold on it.
India won the ODI series and will be looking to follow that up here while Australia will be out to prove they are better than what they showed in those matches.
India
India have a good record over Australia in this format of the game and they will be aiming to continue that. With the form they showed in the ODI series they are rightful favourites to win this opening game of the series but there will be a change in personnel in their ranks which they will have to deal with and overcome.
You look down this Indian outfit and it is hard to see a weakness in them. They have a really solid batting line up. If you was being extra critical then you could argue that they might lack a big hitter or two but with the ball they look very good no matter who they select. I always maintain bowlers win these matches so that bodes well.
Australia
I always feel Australia never take this format of the game too seriously. To be fair they look to have named their strongest squad for this series but then their usual coach is not here so while you get positive vibes on one hand you have them taken away on the other. If they are focused they look competitive at least.
Unlike India, Australia certainly don’t lack for big hitters or depth to their batting line up. If they are going to win this series they will need to ensure they do the big things well with the ball. They need to be hard to hit and if they can keep taking regular wickets then they will have a chance. They will need to be strong at the death in particular.
Team News
Axar Patel and Ashish Nehra will be pushing for starts in this match but after the ODI side did so well they might get the first dibs on showing their form in this series too.
Australia are expected to make changes with Tim Paine, Jason Behrendorff and Dan Christian expected to come into the squad. There could also be a spot for Moises Henriques although Glenn Maxwell might say something about that.
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Betting
I’d like to see how the teams line up and function before I start getting involved in the match betting for this series but with the focus that is on it I do expect both to give it a good go and take it seriously.
Until we know for sure that is the case I will go with just the one bet. That comes in the form of the sixes where I am siding with the under. There has been a fair bit of weather around in the lead up to this match and some of it is expected earlier in game day too so the pitch might do a little bit. Even if it doesn’t the boundaries are big here and these two attacks usually don’t go for too much. I think a 12.5 line looks a couple too high.
Tips
VOID – Back Under 12.5 sixes for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with William Hill
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