SUNDAY T20 WORLD CUP: The Edge previews the final between India v New Zealand with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
Final: India v New Zealand
MATCH OVERVIEW:
he T20 World Cup reaches its climax on Sunday as India meet New Zealand on Betdaq Betting Exchange! It’s been a cracking tournament, and after a dramatic Semi-Final win over England, it’s no surprise that India come into the game as the red-hot favourites. New Zealand were ultra impressive over South Africa in their Semi-Final, but you have to say that they went into that as the underdogs – especially given South Africa had already beaten India at the Super 8 stage. India are trading 1.44 at the time of writing – I suppose they are used to the favourites tag, and New Zealand are also used to the underdog tag!
New Zealand have done what New Zealand always do. Quietly and efficiently gone about their business; obviously a few blips along the way, but for a nation of their size and money compared to the big three of India, England and Australia – they are doing superb. They produced arguably the most clinical knockout performance of the tournament in the Semi-Final. After restricting South Africa – who had been unbeaten through the entire tournament – to 169/8, Finn Allen produced one of the all time great T20 World Cup innings. He smashed an unbeaten 100 off just 33 balls – the fastest century in Men’s T20 World Cup history, beating Chris Gayle’s 47-ball record from 2016. Talk about peaking at the right time.
India have been impressive; obviously they had that hammering against South Africa – bowled out for just 111 chasing 188, ending a twelve-match T20 World Cup winning streak. Other than that, they have been very solid. Perhaps you could poke at their bowling, but the Semi-Final wicket was a road so we can forgive them that. It will be interesting to see conditions here – everyone has been saying the wickets have changed to roads since India were beaten. Whatever happens, this should be a cracking Final.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
Ahmedabad is the largest cricket ground in the world with a capacity of 132,000, so it’s a fitting venue for the Final. The stadium will be absolutely rocking with India involved – although most of the home fans spent half the England game looking worried as Jacob Bethell smashed it everywhere. Batting conditions have been very good here, the first inning scores have been 213/4 (won), 187/6 (tied), 175/7 (chased), 193/6 (won), 187/7 (won), 176/8 (won) and 176/8 (chased). Dew is a significant factor in night games at Ahmedabad, and you’d have to say chasing is a slight edge here but then you have all the pressure of a run-chase in a Final given it’s likely to be a big score with such good batting conditions.
RECOMMENDED BET:
India are the heavy favourites on home soil and that is no surprise at all – as I said above, they are trading around 1.44 at the time of writing. They are the defending champions, and they have some of the most explosive batters in world cricket. They have all the stars, compared to New Zealand too who do everything under the radar almost. New Zealand are in superb form, and seem like they are peaking at exactly the right time. Their opening partnership of Allen and Seifert has been in devastating form; their bowling has been disciplined and clever throughout. I just feel New Zealand are worth a small investment at the odds. Obviously India are very tough to beat, but I feel the game will be closer than the odds suggest.
The Edge Says: One point win New Zealand to beat India at 3.2 with Betdaq Exchange.
View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/WCInNw
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
The dew factor is going to be absolutely critical here, possibly the most important single factor in-running too. A heavy dew will offer a massive edge to the chasing side; I suppose it will also make bowling conditions tricky it both innings. Both captains will know this, and whoever wins the toss will almost certainly elect to bowl first. I do feel the batters will be on top in both innings, and this is certainly a game where to want to support the batting side rather than the bowling side. I would not be looking to support either bowling attack heavily unless conditions turn out drier than expected.
