The second ODI of the series between India and Australia will be played at Nagpur. The first game was won by Australia, but not before the hosts had given them a scare thanks to an 84-run eighth wicket partnership between two lower-order players in Harbhajan Singh and Praveen Kumar.
The final margin of victory was four runs for Australia, but the Indians had been outplayed in all three departments for the first 90 overs of the day. However, things can drastically change, and the Aussies have lost James Hopes and Brett Lee for the second game due to injuries. Mitchell Johnson is a suspect as well, and the loss of the three bowlers coupled with Yuvraj Singh’s return to the side will mean that India will go into the game as favourites – 10/11 at Sky Bet – to beat Australia. Bet365 offers 11/10 for an Aussie win.
The top three batsmen should all retain their positions, and if Virender Sehwag’s (7/2 at Sky Bet to top India’s batting) blazing couple of overs was anything to go by, he did not look like suffering from any after-effects of his shoulder injury. Sachin Tendulkar (7/2 at Totesport to top the batting) struggled to get going on the slowish track, but on a hard, bouncy Nagpur wicket, he could get back to his scoring ways of this year. Gautam Gambhir will bat at three and despite being the top-scorer, his skipper will expect him to convert his starts into something more meaningful and substantial. Boylesport offers 4/1 for him to top the batting. It will be interesting to note who bats at the number four position for India, as there has been much talk of M.S.Dhoni (6/1 at 888Sport to be the best batsman for India) promoting himself up the order. With Yuvraj (5/1 at 888Sport to be the best batsman) back into the fold as well, the questions that may need answers to is about who will go out of the eleven to accommodate Yuvi and where will the southpaw from Chandigarh bat.
Australia may have a bit of juggling to do as well. Shaun Marsh (11/2 at Boylesports to be their best batsman) will replace Hopes in the order, but Marsh is an opener. The opening slot is already booked for the successful duo of Shane Watson (4/1 at BetFred to be Australia’s best batsman) and Tim Paine (5/1 at Sky Bet to be the best batsman for Australia), and this could mean that Marsh will need to bat down the order. However, the manner in which each of the batsman played in the top-order for Australia in the previous game, and the fact that the Nagpur pitch will be to the liking of the Aussie batsmen, any of Cameron White (13/2) or Michael Hussey (11/2) – both at Boylesports to be top the scoring – could have a century for the taking.
Tips:
Favourites: India (10/11 at Sky Bet)
Top Indian batsman: M.S.Dhoni (6/1 at 888Sport)
Top Australian batsman: Michael Hussey (11/2 at Boylesports)