CWC India150Couch Critic provides his betting tips for the second ODI between India and West Indies which takes place on Wednesday 18th December

 

 

 

 

INDIA VS WINDIES 2nd ODI, Visakhapatnam @ 10:00

 

SETTING THE SCENE

 

India have really had the grit between their teeth in India thus far. They lost the T20 series 2-1 but on none of the three occasions were the home side’s bowler able to contain the flamboyance of the men form the West Indies. The fight shown by the men in Maroon was clearly not just relegated to the shortest format alone as they proceeded to topple the Indians in the first ODI In Chennai. The home side will have their work cut out for them if they are to secure another home series win as its clear to see that these islanders have not come to the subcontinent for an early festive trip – they are here to push India all the way.

 

LET’S TALK TACTICS

 

We have two masterful batting sides going up against each other in this series. The home side have dominant players in Rohit Sharma, Kohli, Rahul, Iyer and Pant who have all taken a turn during the three T20’s as well as the opening ODI to showcase their supreme stroke making. However, the Windies have hardly blinked an eye at this. In the first 20 over match they posted a score in excess of 200 and on Sunday successfully chased down 287 to sail home with an eight-wicket win (the same margin of victory as the 2nd T20). If ever there was a team who personified what it means to play “fearless cricket” it’s these lads in maroon.

Bowling wise it has been a tour to forget for most involved. Even Mohammed Shami went for over six runs to the over in the previous game whilst Chahal took some punishment in the T20’s. For the visitors pretty much everyone has had a chance to pick up some frequent flyer miles.

The second ODI will be held in Visakhapatnam. In the last ODI played here India chased down 320 against the same opponent they face on Wednesday. Earlier in the year the test match against South Africa also saw plenty of runs with only the spinners enjoying some success with the ball.

 

HOW I SEE IT PLAYING OUT

 

With both batting units in sublime form at present I think the winner will be decided by who can bowl the better of the two. India should be well up for this one and I expect them to level the series. But there is no value to be had in the outright match market.

Virat Kohli is in good form, will be keen to lead his side to a strong bounce back, made a fantastic 150 in the last ODI on this same ground and comes into this one off a rare failure in the first match. I think captain Kohli will make triple figures but will play it safer and just back the half century.

Another man who has good memories of this ground is Shai Hope. (Yes I know I pick him often but rank him highly!). Having made a hundred in the opener I will follow him to back this up again.

Chahal didn’t have a great time of things in the T20’s but given the lack of strike power amongst the India bowlers I see them reverting to their stalwart leggie to bamboozle the visitors on a track that should suit him.

Lastly Kohli, Sharma, Pant, Hetmeyer, Pollard and Hope have all shown some of their best form in recent times so I am expecting plenty of maximums in this match.

 

Best Bets with BETOLIMP:

Batsman to score a fifty – Kohli YES @ 2.10

Top India Bowler – YS Chahal @ 3.75

Top West Indies Batsman – S Hope @ 4.33

Total Match Sixes over 13.5 @ 1.83

 

Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change

 

Couch Critic