The 2nd Twenty20 match of the series between India and Australia gives cricket lovers an interest in midweek as the nations go head-to-head on Wednesday afternoon. The M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore provides a fitting backdrop as the tourists look to double up, building on a surprise victory in the opener. Will we see them do that, or can India fire themselves back into the frame? Here are top India v Australia 2nd T20 betting tips.
UK followers can keep up-to-date with the match from 1.30pm and that start time should ensure a healthy interest from punters looking to boost their bank balance in good time for an action-packed evening of sport, including Premier League football.
Bookmakers have done the hard work to ensure there’s something for everyone, with odds offered on a host of exciting markets, including match winner, top India batsman and bowler, top Australian run-scorer and wicket-taker. A dive into the specials will uncover hundreds of options and it’s our job to uncover the best of them.
Flying Start for Tourists
Those who have remained loyal to Australian cricket during a difficult few months finally appear to be getting the rewards due for their service as the cricketing superpower have steadied the ship and begin to move in the right direction again. They looked to be up against it when travelling to a confident India side and we didn’t give them too much hope of snatching a 1st T20 win but the tourists proved us, and plenty more, wrong when putting in a battling performance to edge the win on Sunday afternoon.
Australia took the 1st T20 by three wickets, the final score telling the story of just how tight the match was. It could’ve gone either way and that made for some enthralling in-play betting, but it was the visitors who held on, the final score marked up at Australia 127-7 (20.0) against India 126-7 (20.0). Edge of your seat stuff for those in attendance and watching the TV coverage and neutrals will be hoping for more of the same in the 2nd T20.
Last-Gasp Win
The victors were locked in a race against time in this limited-overs style of cricket but smashed their way to 14 runs off the final over to nick it and break the hearts of India and her fans. It was a low-scoring game with both sides looking nervy and setting-up tactically, but that took nothing away from the drama of it all, proving more runs doesn’t necessarily mean more excitement.
At the end of the match, there could be no argument that the right team got the win as the final score was kept competitive due to an Australian slip down the home-straight. The victors lost Glenn Maxwell for 56 and that wobbled them. They then lost five wickets in quick succession, igniting India’s hopes of a fightback. It wasn’t to be, Pat Cummins holding his nerve to get his team safely across the line, backed up by Jhye Richardson.
Australia will be looking to repeat the feat but win a bit more convincingly, all the time knowing a determined fightback will come from India as they look to save face in front of their own fans. This T20 series has just two games, making Wednesday’s match all the more important. If India reply we’ll have a draw that wouldn’t be the worst result for either team involved, but if Australia has enough about them to win 2-0 on foreign soil, they’ll make a real statement of intent going into what will be a big year for the sport.
Revenge over Repeat
Will it be repeat or revenge in midweek? Oddsmakers think they know and, refusing to take their lead from the first T20, they have priced India as favourites for the win, supported by traders at all major firms. Bet365 send out 8/15 and although that’s short enough about a side coming in on the back of a defeat, it’s better than the 1/2 you’ll find with most of the competition.
This winner of this match is difficult enough to call without taking less of a price about the jolly, so bet smart and, if you fancy having your money down on India to level the scores, be sure to do it at bet365 to ensure your stake works as hard as it could on your behalf.
Heading in the Right Direction
Prefer a bet on Australia? There was little between the sides the first time, so we wouldn’t be in a rush to talk anyone out of a bet on the home win, but we’d much rather have our cash on the form side who are available at a better price. There have been glimmers of hope that Australia is finally over the ball-tampering scandal that threatened to ruin the love of the sport for fans, and it appears players, coaches and Cricket Australia are finally pulling in the same direction again. Not as quickly as some would like, and the issue shouldn’t have happened in the first place, but a strong Australia is good for cricket.
We have this as another 50/50 so, for that reason, a bet on Australia makes perfect sense. Back 2-0 at 13/8 – top price when taking advantage of Ladbrokes’ generosity. We expect that bet to feature on a fair share of midweek betting slips. That punt allows you to enjoy the match knowing you have the value working in your corner.
Another Low-Scoring Match
Similar to Sunday’s clash, we’re expecting another low-scoring match and that’s the reason our bet of the day goes on under 14.5 sixes to be scored at a decent 4/5. That makes more sense than taking over 14.5 at 10/11. Worth a place in your accumulators.
If Australia is to live up to expectations in this one, they’ll need another fast start to protect against any late drama. The visitors to have the highest opening partnership is even money at Bet365 and that’s another we’d be keen to have on side.