India vs Pakistan betting tips: Best odds and predictions
The host nation have started the tournament like they mean business. India eased past Australia in their opening match before Sharma’s 63-ball century secured a comfortable win over Afghanistan.
It has firmly established their status as leading contenders for the title in the Cricket World Cup odds, and a third victory in a row would firmly set them up nicely for a stroll towards the knockout phase.
Pakistan will be aiming to stop that from happening and they proved themselves a quality outfit after producing a World Cup record chase to defeat Sri Lanka in their last match, making it two from two to start the World Cup.
Babar Azam’s team are mercurial and always seem to save their best for the big occasion, notably their last ODI win over India in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017.
Here are our predictions for the contest on Saturday 14 October using the best odds from UK betting sites.
Fast start for India
Sharma was in sensational form against Afghanistan and has pressed a case to top the run chart at the Cricket World Cup for a second tournament in a row.
The India skipper has now scored more World Cup centuries than the great Sachin Tendulkar. He was in imperious touch against the Afghanistan bowlers, ensuring that his side marched towards the victory with 90 balls to spare.
Sharma opened the batting alongside Ishan Kishan in the continued absence of Shubman Gill due to his illness. Gill remains a doubt for the clash, so expect Kishan to remain at the top of the order with his Mumbai Indians teammate.
Both players thrived in Delhi, and although Pakistan’s bowlers are a step up in quality, we expect Sharma and Kishan to continue their form.
They scored 130 from their first 15 overs in Delhi and we’re backing them to outscore Pakistan in the same period with odds of 4/6 with William Hill.
Kuldeep to prove a point
Kuldeep Yadav has been given a massive vote of confidence by the India selectors to earn his place in the starting XI ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin.
There is a growing debate regarding the status of Ashwin in the side, but Kuldeep has earned his place and has an excellent ODI record. The left-arm leg-spinner averages 25.65 with 155 wickets from his 92 matches.
The 28-year-old has an even better record against Pakistan, taking his wickets at 13.20. He tormented Pakistan in their last outing, claiming figures of five for 25 in India’s dominant win in the Asia Cup.
Sharma will be looking for a similar performance from his spinner at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
We’re backing Kuldeep to thrive once more for his team to take three wickets or more at odds of 5/2 with Betway.
Babar to come to life after slow start
Babar has had an underwhelming start to the World Cup, mustering only 15 runs in his two innings.
Fortunately for Pakistan, the brilliance of Abdullah Shafique and Mohamed Rizwan allowed them to chase down a record World Cup total without a sizeable knock from their skipper in their clash against Sri Lanka.
Given the importance of the game to both Pakistan and India, Babar will want to make his presence felt against his side’s bitter rivals.
He misfired against them in the Asia Cup, and averages only 28 against India in seven matches with a top score of 48.
Compare that to his overall record in ODI cricket with an average of 57.09 with 19 centuries and 28 half-centuries, it needs to change for the Pakistan skipper under the spotlight.
He is too good of a player not to make an impact at a World Cup, so we’re using our third and final bet on Babar to top score for Pakistan at odds of 5/2 with William Hill.
Simon Sinclair is an experienced sports journalist, who has written for national publications for football, cricket, NFL and many more. He contributes tips on a wide range of sports for The Independent.
