INDIA v SOUTH AFRICA: Our cricket tipster The Edge previews Sunday’s 5th T20 with a recommended BETDAQ bet.

MATCH OVERVIEW:

We have a very busy day of cricket on Betdaq Betting Exchange this Sunday! Netherlands host England and Sri Lanka host Australia in ODI’s, but the eyes of the cricketing world will be focused on Bangalore and India host South Africa is a T20 series decider! South Africa started the series very strongly to take a 2-0 lead, but India have gained momentum as the series has gone on, and they have absolutely rolled over South Africa in the last two T20’s. The Indian bowling was an issue early in the series, but they have now bowled out South Africa for 131 and 87. South Africa shouldn’t let their heads go down though – they come to a ground now which is very high scoring historically and they must keep attacking the Indian bowlers to try put them under pressure.

Dinesh Karthik lead the charge for India on Tuesday, and it’s amazing that it took a cricketer of his talent 16 years to reach a 50 in International T20’s! That stat is remarkable, but obviously he has missed quite a few matches given he wasn’t selected over the likes of MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina when they were in their prime. Karthik deserves this run after an impressive IPL season, and ironically this is in home ground should we get back to normal after Covid19 this season. Bangalore is known for its short boundaries, massive sixes and high scores so we should see plenty of drama here.

The Indian batting has done well all series, and it was the bowlers who lost the opening two games. It’s hard to see the Indian batting failing so the game depends on whether or not the South Africa batting can cope with the Indian bowling. On a wicket that usually favours the batsmen, I would suggest we’ll see a closer game than the odds suggest here. I’m sure a lot of cricket fans will be writing off South Africa after the last two performances but I feel we’ll get a very exciting game.

WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:

Before the Covid19 outbreak hit, this was the highest scoring ground in the IPL. It’s the home of RCB of course, and we saw many scores of 200+ (and chased down) over the years. Chris Gayle has also broken some records here in the past! You’d have to expect the batters to be on top, but I would keep an open mind of course. India have done much better at the last two grounds that had uneven bounce and a bit of spin, so they could request a spin friendly track here. Although we usually see a very flat wicket, it can turn square on occasion. Obviously if India have requested that then we have a very different game than usual, but going off past ground history a par score should be over 180 – especially if we get dew, then par might be even bigger.

RECOMMENDED BET:

Although India are rightly favourites, I feel that they are too short here at 1.61. Anyone that has followed the IPL over the years will know that this ground is so high scoring that it “kind of” turns the games into a lotto type situation. With the short boundaries, all it takes is one player to get going and score 100 off 50 balls. Remember even Ireland beat England here in the ODI World Cup, chasing down a big score – Keven O’Brien scored a century which was a record at the time. I know it’s hard for South Africa to keep attacking after getting bowled out for 131 and 87 in their two games but they have to “go for it” at this ground. They have the talent, and if one or two of the batters can get going like they did in the opening two games – the Indian bowlers didn’t have many answers. I’m happy to keep stakes small, but South Africa do look a value play at 2.48.

The Edge Says:
One point win South Africa to beat India at 2.48 with BETDAQ Exchange.

View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/IndSa5

IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:

We’ve been around a few grounds now and we haven’t had any major in-running strategies because of the lack of ground data. Covid19 has meant a huge gap in the schedule and with the IPL moving to the UAE for two season and then focusing on only four grounds this season, we don’t have much T20 data either. We do have a lot of ground data in Bangalore, but it is a few years old now which means you’ll have to go into this game with an open mind. I would view the opening three overs to see what the wicket is like, but if it’s like “usual” and pretty flat, then I would solely focus on looking for trades on the batting side here. It simple doesn’t pay to be on the bowling side for long at this ground – a six is never far away, and especially if we get dew we should see high scores. I would expect the side batting first to put up a decent score and the market to support them – then I would just pick and choose the spots to support the chasing side.