THE EDGE: The Edge previews the Champions Trophy first semi-final between India v Australia with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
Semi-Final 1: India v Australia
MATCH OVERVIEW:
The Champions Trophy Semi-Finals are set, and we have a fascinating week coming up on BETDAQ Betting Exchange. India take on Australia in a repeat of the ODI World Cup not too long ago; Australia will be hoping for a similar outcome although they are heavily impacted by injuries this time around. India have ticked every box thus far, and they have had the advantage of playing every game in Dubai due to the BCCI getting their way of not playing in Pakistan. That definitely gives India a little edge coming into this game – not only do they know conditions well by now, but they also have the benefit of not traveling.
New Zealand have had a very tough schedule; from Pakistan to Dubai, back to Pakistan for the other Semi-Final, and if they win that then back to Dubai! India have been faultless so far, and they very impressively defended 249/9 here on Sunday – the market had New Zealand as the favourites, but Varun had other ideas taking five wickets in the attempted chase. You have to feel here the game will be decided by the Australia batting v the India bowling in whichever innings that takes place. The Aussie bowling was lacklustre against England, but their batting got them out of trouble.
It was a shame to lose Australia v South Africa to rain because it would have given us a good guide on both sides. Australia were in control of the Afghanistan game too when the rain came. The Aussie will have the confidence of that ODI World Cup Final win over India, but they are missing so many key players coming into this game it’s hard to see past an Indian side who tick every box. Whoever wins here will be favourite for the Final though, so the stakes couldn’t be higher.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
Batting in Dubai has been much more difficult compared to Pakistan, but at least the weather has been better! We lost plenty of cricket in Pakistan towards the end of the group stage. As I said heading into the game on Sunday, it was always going to be interesting to see what India would post if they batted first and we saw 249/9 defended quite easily. Prior to that we saw scores of 228 and 241 both chased by India. The spinners are going to play a big role here; New Zealand opted to bowl first but it’ll be interesting to see who the winning captain does at the toss! If the wicket is going to turn massively again; do you bat first?
RECOMMENDED BET:
India are the favourites at 1.6, and in my opinion that’s a price worth backing. You would have been a disappointed with their batting performance at the innings break on Sunday, but their bowling performance put that into perspective. It’s going to be spin to win here, and the Indian bowling line-up is much better than the Aussies in that department. When Australia won the ODI World Cup, they had a much stronger bowling line-up but injuries have put them in a weak spot in my opinion. India are great value at 1.6, and I’m happy with a Five Star NAP at the odds.
The Edge Says:
Five points win India to beat Australia at 1.6 with BETDAQ Betting Exchange
View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/CTInAu
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
Given the way things have gone in Dubai thus far, you don’t want to be on either batting side here to be honest – wickets haven’t been far away the whole time. That being said, I do support India while batting for small stakes because of how limited the Aussie bowling is. I know their batting got them out of the England hole, but their bowling went around the park there and England had a poor tournament as well. I feel we’ll see the most market movement when India bowl, and I’d happily support their bowlers in these conditions. It’s going to be spin to win!
