THE EDGE: The Edge previews the T20 World Cup clash between AFGHANISTAN v INDIA with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
Afghanistan v India
MATCH OVERVIEW:
T20 World Cup favourites India kick off their Super 8’s campaign as they clash with Afghanistan on Thursday. India will come into this game as the heavy favourites on Betdaq Betting Exchange, and it already feels like they will cruise into the Semi-Finals. It felt like this at the ODI World Cup when India hosts; they breezed through the tournament only to lose the Final to Australia. India just tick every box with their squad and they can get themselves out of trouble a lot – when their batting fails, their bowlers fire – when their bowlers go around the park, their batters can turn things around. As we saw in the Pakistan game, even in a terrible position they still pull it out of the fire.
Afghanistan came through a difficult group involving the West Indies and New Zealand. Someone was always going to be disappointed and it was New Zealand – Afghanistan were completely superb to hammer New Zealand by 84 runs. They were on the other end of a hammering in their final group game however, losing by 104 runs to the West Indies. Nicholas Pooran smashed 98 runs off just 53 and took the game away from Afghanistan with West Indies finishing on 218/5. When sides don’t get close, we often see collapses and a big over-reaction – usually from the UK media when England are all out for close to 100 but it happens all the time chasing a big target.
Afghanistan have played some excellent cricket, but let’s be honest – anything bar a win for India would be a big surprise. As I said above, they just tick every box at the moment and they look stronger in every area compared to Afghanistan.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
India had to suffer the poor wicket in New York, and they will be glad to get to the West Indies now. They’ve had plenty of tours here so will know conditions well – although usually they send their B Team! Afghanistan have been in the West Indies, but they have played at Barbados. We’ve had a big range of scores here and some poor weather too – the first inning scores have been; 109 all out (tied), 90/0 after ten overs when it rained, 164/5 (won), 155/9 (chased) and 201/7 (won). A lot of associates have played here, so I wouldn’t read too much into the scoring. Australia put up 201 against England though – generally it’s good for batting here and you want to bat first.
RECOMMENDED BET:
As I said above, it’s hard to see past India here. It’s easy to see why they are the red-hot favourites, and they are trading 1.26 at the time of writing. I don’t see this being a close game; perhaps the only way things can get close is if Afghanistan bat first and go very well. Batting first is generally a little edge here, but India just manage to have all bases covered with their batters and bowlers these days. There’s a big gulf in class between the sides and the 1.26 is big enough to have a small value bet on India in my opinion.
The Edge Says:
One point win India to beat Afghanistan at 1.26 on Betdaq Exchange
View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/AfhInd
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
As I mentioned above, you generally want to be batting first here. Chasing has proven to be a little bit more difficult over time, so the side batting first will have that edge. In a 50/50 game that could prove to be a big edge, but with such a gulf in class between the sides here it might not be a major factor. You’d definitely say for Afghanistan to have a chance at an upset, they have to bat first and of course bat very well. Other than that I can see the Indian batters doing really well here – the Afghanistan bowlers strength is what India are used to facing really and I don’t see that causing them any issues. India should win without too much drama in the market.
