Couch Critic previews Friday's first One Day International between Australia and India including best bets from @Olimp_SA
AUSTRALIA vs INDIA 1st ODI, Sydney. Friday 27 Nov @ 05:40
Australia and India get their first ODI post-Corona break underway at the SCG on Friday morning. The fifty over format remains my favourite from a punting perspective so I couldn’t be happier! Here is how I see things going down Down-under.
Setting the Scene
We live in a strange modern world, especially 2020, and apart from the foreign concept of “living in bubbles” we also have countrymen who now have to band together to outwit teammates from a month or two ago. In the IPL Kohli and Finch would have been conspiring together to find methods of knocking over Rahul and Agarwal whilst Steve Smith and Sanju Samson would have plotted ways to get Warner out. These modern coalitions will make way for international rivalry as two of the big boys clash to sort out the pecking order in world cricket.
These two teams look to be well matched. The Aussies have a strong looking batting order but the visitors have some heavy hitters of their own. Bowling wise the Indian quicks have been impressive and they won’t be standing back to what we will see from the Aussies. A lot will depend on how quickly the trio of Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood can hit their top levels as the hosts will rely on this aspect of their game to give them the edge.
Betolimp Best Bets
To score fifty – David Warner YES @ 2.37
Right out the gate I expect the big boys to step up. Warner arrives back home in good spirits and good form. He has spent the last few months facing these Indian bowlers and I am expecting a big home series from the Aussie bulldog.
To score a fifty – Kohli YES @ 2.25
Virat wasn’t as prolific in India as we expect from him each and every time he makes his way onto a cricket field. But fifty-over cricket is where he does his best work and since he will be leaving the tour early (amidst a lot of talk and criticism about this decision) the Indian skipper will be keen to make a big impact in the time that he is in Aus.
Top India Bowler – J Bumrah @ 3.25
Bumrah hit his best form in the second half of the IPL and arrives on Australian shores as a man in the groove. His death bowling is un-matched.
Top Australian Bowler – M Starc @ 3.75
Unlike Pat Cummins, Starc gave the IPL a skip. The home team need their big quick to find his A game as soon as possible to rattle the visitors with his wide range of skills – from lethal yorkers to troublesome fiery short bowling. If he does hit his straps, beware!
Man of the Match – RA Jadeja @ 21.00
India are underdogs for this match but if they are to get close the chances are that Jadeja will be there to put in a fighting effort. His batting came on nicely for CSK and given the likely limited amount of bowling from Hardik we could see Jadeja having to bowl his full quota.
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Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change
Couch Critic
