India vs Australia Tips, Best Betting Odds & Predictions
India vs Australia tips
Hosts India open their 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup campaign against Australia in Chennai as Rohit Sharma and his team begin their quest for a third title.
The last time India hosted the competition in 2011 they went on to win the crown under the captaincy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Over 12 years have passed since India have tasted success in an international tournament, putting the pressure on this squad of players to perform under the spotlight.
Some of the best betting sites have installed India as the favourites for the title at 2/1.
Sharma and his team will be desperate to send out a statement against Australia, who have been suspect in their preparation for the tournament with injuries and a lack of form.
Australia are lacking their usual aura ahead of a World Cup. The consensus among the bookmakers is that it would be a surprise for them to compete for the crown.
But, you can never write off the Aussies and a victory over India would send a few nerves trickling through the rest of the top contenders.
India vs Australia Cricket World Cup odds and start time
India face Australia at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday 8 October, starting at 9:30am BST. Sharma and his team will enter the contest with confidence after beating Australia 2-1 in their series ahead of the World Cup.
India dominated the Baggy Greens with the bat, chasing down their total with five wickets to spare in the first ODI before scoring 399 in the second.
Australia avoided a whitewash with a victory in the final ODI but losing five out of their last six matches ahead of the World Cup including a 3-2 defeat to South Africa has hardly been ideal preparation for Pat Cummins’ team.
Cummins himself has been out of action since the Ashes after enduring a heavy workload over the summer. His teammates have struggled without his presence in the ranks and Australia will need their skipper at his best alongside Mitchell Starc.
The hosts should be confident after their series win, although the pressure-cooker of the World Cup in front of home fans is always a daunting prospect.
But Sharma’s men should start off with a win at odds of 4/6 at William Hill. If you fancy the Aussies, Unibet have a price of 13/10 for them to spring a surprise.
Here are our tips to look out for in the clash between India and Australia.
Warner to top score?
David Warner is winding down his international career after an illustrious tenure, albeit one that has been mired in controversy. Love him or hate him, you can’t deny that Warner has an outstanding record, especially in limited-overs cricket.
The left-hander was part of the Australia side that won the World Cup in 2015 and his experience at the top of the order will be crucial for the Baggy Greens.
After a torrid time once again in the Ashes, Warner has found his touch against the white ball over the last six weeks. He scored three straight half-centuries against India, and also notched the 20th century of his ODI career in Australia’s win over South Africa in Bloemfontein.
In 12 ODI matches in India, Warner averages 52.27 with two centuries and four half-centuries to his name. The 36-year-old has the form and record to thrive in the opening match of the tournament.
If Warner has a fast start, it could pave the way for him to enjoy the perfect swansong to his career. After looking at UK betting sites we like the price of 10/3 with William Hill for Warner to top score for the Aussies.
India to have Top Bowler
Both teams have quality bowlers in their ranks that will cause problems for the two batting line-ups. Australia will be boosted by the return of Cummins, who missed the India series in the build-up to the competition, while Starc appears to be in prime form after taking a hat-trick against Netherlands.
Starc has been the leading wicket-taker at the last two Cricket World Cups and always seems to raise his game when it comes to the big occasions.
Adam Zampa has endured a difficult warm-up period for the tournament joining his compatriot Mick Lewis to have the joint-worst bowling figures in ODI history after conceding 113 from his 10 overs in a defeat to South Africa.
Josh Hazlewood has looked jaded amid a heavy workload over the summer. Unless Starc or Cummins perform, the bowler from the game could therefore come from India.
Jasprit Bumrah has been gradually working his way back to fitness following a lay-off over the summer. Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya are all quality options for Sharma to use against the Aussies.
Bowling in familiar conditions will only benefit the India attack. So out of their plethora of options, we're backing odds of 4/6 for India to be the team with the top bowler in the game with Betway.
