South Africa will be looking to take a 2-0 series lead in the 5 match T20 Series when they play India in Cuttak on Sunday and we take a look at the game from a betting angle.
The 1st T20 took place in Delhi on Thursday and India started warm favourites. The Proteas won the toss and decided to field first conceding 211 for 4 in their 20 overs. Almost all of the bowlers took stick and the 4 wickets were spread amongst them while the decision to open the bowling with Maharaj backfired as he went for 14 an over in his 3 overs. For India there were contributions from all of the top order, but Ishan Kishan with 76 off 48 balls was the star of the innings.
South Africa then chased down the runs in the 20th over with 7 wickets in hand. They looked in trouble at 81 for 3 with the departure of Quinton de Kock, but an unbeaten stand between Rassie van der Dussen with 75 off 46 balls and David Miller with 64 off 31 balls saw them home relatively comfortably in the end.
If you were betting on the team to get the most 6’s amazingly both sides ended up with 14. None of the Indian bowlers got on top of the South African batsmen and the pick was probably Avesh Khan at the top of the order going for just under 9 runs an over.
BETTING – Click here to bet
India 15/20
South Africa 11/10
Suggested Bet: India win at 15/20
The Indians saw their 12 match winning run halted by the Proteas and it was credit to the visitors for an excellent performance. I am expecting a bounce back from the home team and think the 15/20 on offer is a quite a generous price.
Suggested Bet: Top Home Batsman, Hh Pandya at 7/1
This is a speculative play because Pandya usually comes in well down the order, but he finished the 1st T20 strongly and I wonder if they may not push him up to give him a bit more time at the crease.
Suggested Bet: Top Away Batsman, Quinton de Kock at 12/5
De Kock showed enough in his innings of 22 to suggest to me that he is in decent nick and I am backing him to lead the South African charge in the 2nd T20.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
