History
India and Australia have always been among the fiercest of rivals to play the sport. They have squared off a total of 141 times in One Day Internationals over the years.
Australia has won 79 of those matches, while India has won only 52, with 10 of them being declared as a no result. 52 of those 141 ODI’s were played in Australia, and India could win only 13 of them, while Australia has won 37 of them, 2 being declared as no result. In the first match of this series, Australia posted a mighty total of 374 while batting first, and in reply India put up a decent fight but could only muster 308, for a comfortable win for the home side.
Team News
The hosts enjoyed a brilliant first match with a thumping 66 run victory. Their batsmen were in brilliant form, as both the openers gave them a really solid start. After Warner’s departure on a well-made 69, skipper Finch and Steve Smith both struck memorable centuries, with Smith in particular displaying an exceptionally attacking style with 105 in just 66 balls, studded with 4 sixes. A late Maxwell blizzard (45 from 19) saw the Aussies post a huge total of 374/6. Indian pacer Mohd Shami was the only real threat to the Australian top-order, as he picked up 3 wickets.
The travelling side, in contrast, had the worst possible start, with opener Mayank Agarwal dismissed in the 6th over on 22. Shikhar Dhawan was in great touch but none of the other batsmen could ably support him, as Kohli, Rahul and Iyer all fell cheaply. However, Hardik Pandya turned up and had a brilliant 128 run partnership with Dhawan, who scored 74 off 86. Pandya smashed 4 sixes en route to a 76-ball-90. Despite encouraging knocks from Jadeja and Saini, India fell quite some way short of the target, as the innings ended on 308. Adam Zampa was the most effective Australian bowler, as he picked 4 wickets for 54 runs, while Hazlewood was the most effective seamer, with 3 wickets for 55 runs.
Betting Preview, Picks And Prediction
To Win The Match
Australia are the clear favourites to win their second match of this series on home turf with odds of 1.56 as per LeoVegas, which is not surprising as they dominated the Indians in the first match of the series, with a 66 run victory. The odds might also have something to do with India’s comparatively poor record on Australian soil, winning just about 25% of the matches they have played here. India are placed at 2.38 to win this match.
Top Team Batsman
Virat Kohli is, as usual, the favourite to be India’s top batsman in this match despite a poor score in the first game, with odds of 3.20. He is widely regarded as the best batsman in the world, and the Indian skipper will want to lead from the front and improve on his previous performance. Opener Shikhar Dhawan is the 2nd favourite at 4.25, based on his immense success in the recently concluded IPL, as well as his well-made 74 in the previous match.
Opener David Warner is the usual favourite from Australia to be the top scorer as he is now back in form, with a comfortable half century in the first match, and has odds of 3.75. Captain Aaron Finch is 4.00 to finish as the top scorer, while the ever dependable Steve Smith is also placed at 4.00to be the best batsman, after both struck centuries in the first game.
Highest Opening Partnership
Australia are the favourites to have the highest opening partnership in this match at 1.72. Warner and Finch have been opening together for several years now, and know each other’s game inside out and are more likely to win this bet as India do not have a confirmed opening pair as of now. They had another century stand in the previous match. Shikhar Dhawan will undoubtedly be opening the innings, but his partner is yet to be confirmed. It could be either Mayank Agarwal or KL Rahul, both of whom had a poor first game, and the uncertainty means India are 2.08 to win this bet.
Top Team Bowler
Australian pace duo Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins lead the odds when it comes to being their best bowler. Starc is placed at 4.00 while Cummins is at 4.50. Leg spinner Adam Zampa took 4 wickets in the first match, and is now at 4.25 to repeat that performance to win this bet.
Jasprit Bumrah is unsurprisingly the favourite to be India’s top bowler with his lethal yorkers and ability to take wickets either end of the innings. He is placed at 3.50. He is ably supported by the wristy Yuzu Chahal at 3.50, and the experienced Mohammed Shami at 4.00, who took 3 wickets in the first match.
Total Runs In The Match
Odds of there being more than 590.5 runs in this match are 1.83, as per LeoVegas. This seems highly achievable as both these teams have some brilliant batsmen and are known for posting huge totals. 570.5 effectively means 286 runs per innings, which is very easily gettable for both these teams, as the first match crossed 680 at the same ground. Sydney is not the biggest of grounds and plenty of big hits can be expected here. This is a fairly attractive bet.
Individual Player Betting
- Shikhar Dhawan to score more than 36.5 runs has odds of 1.83, which is a tempting bet as he would like to continue his current form. Steve Smith to score more than 34.5 runs also has odds of 1.83. This is also a relatively safe bet as he scored a brilliant century in the first match and is very dependable.
- Australia to hit the most sixes has odds of 1.95, which is understandable as they have several players who prefer the aerial route more often than not. Players such as Warner, Finch, Stoinis and Maxwell all are capable of the big hits. India to hit the most sixes has odds of 2.25, which is understandable as they don’t have as many big hitters as the home side, with only Pandya, Dhawan and occasionally Jadeja aiming for the big hits in the first match.
- Bumrah to take 2 or more wickets has odds of 1.80, which is very attractive as he can snap up key wickets in the beginning as well as towards the end of the innings. Starc to take 2 or more wickets also has odds of 1.80, which is attractive as he can also bowl in the powerplay as well as death overs.
Our Top Betting Picks
- India to win the match @2.38
- Australia to hit the most sixes @1.95
- Australia to have the Highest Opening Partnership @1.80
- Bumrah to be India’s top bowler @3.25
