THE EDGE: The Edge previews the Champions Trophy final between INDIA v NEW ZEALAND with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
Final: India v New Zealand
MATCH OVERVIEW:
The Champions Trophy Final arrives on BETDAQ Betting Exchange as India take on New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday. The Champions Trophy format has been exceptionally cut-throat, and after New Zealand won their opening game of the tournament against Pakistan they were already in the Semi-Finals bar an upset. India haven’t put a foot wrong, but you could easily say that New Zealand actually gave them their toughest test to date in the tournament. New Zealand held India down to 249/9 here last Sunday but India spun them out for 205 to win by 44 runs. It’s been a hectic schedule since then for New Zealand!
New Zealand had to fly from Pakistan after having their first two games there, over to Dubai to face India, then back to Pakistan to face South Africa in the Semi-Final and now they have to come back to Dubai for the Final. There’s been a huge amount of debate leading into this Final about all the advantages India have had in this tournament, and I have to say the situation does leave a bad taste for the neutral cricket fan. India have had the massive edge of playing all their games at the same venue with the other sides traveling – David Miller spoke out after South Africa lost the Semi-Final – he even went as far to say he hopes New Zealand win here.
It is a shame too for Pakistan cricket that they cannot host the Final after so long without an ICC tournament. The reality is when Pakistan got the hosting rights, there was always going to be a power struggle with the BCCI and as always, money talks in cricket and the BCCI got their way. India have ticked absolutely every box coming into the Final, but then again they did the same until Australia beat them in the ODI World Cup Final. Can New Zealand pull off a surprise victory?
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
Scoring conditions have been much tougher in Dubai compared to Pakistan. In Pakistan we have had some very high scoring games – New Zealand posted 362/6 in the Semi-Final compared to Australia’s 264 here! India have actually been the only side to bat first here and not get bowled out; finishing on 249/9 against New Zealand. You’d have to expect tough batting conditions again here; it’s actually a tricky decision what to do at the toss here but the reality is India have bossed all their games. They have made chasing look easy, and then when New Zealand were chasing it looked difficult!
RECOMMENDED BET:
It’s not surprise to see India as the big favourites here. They are trading 1.44 at the time of writing; it’s interesting that it’s a few ticks shorter than when the sides met here at the group stage when India were trading 1.5. As I said prior to that game, it’s hard to see past India because they just tick every box – even when they got themselves into what seemed a bit of bother against New Zealand, their spinners were immense in the second innings to win the game. Not only have India performed superbly; they have had every advantage in this tournament and that will likely show here again. I’m happy to support them at 1.44.
The Edge Says:
Two points win India to beat New Zealand at 1.44 with BETDAQ Betting Exchange
View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/CTInNw
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
We saw New Zealand trade odds on when they played India here last weekend, so we could have a very interesting market. Once again, as has been the case in Dubai, you mainly want to focus on finding trades on the bowling side rather than the batting side. It’s been pretty tough to bat first here – even though India won with the 249/9, the market had New Zealand odds on to chase it. I do feel bowling first will likely provide an edge here – the Indian middle order have been very reliable with the bat here and that’s probably the only area of the game where I might look to support the batting side.
