Start time: 1030, 09/06/2019
Venue: The Oval
TV: Sky Sports
Australia are rated a value pick to edge out India in a mouth-watering Cricket World Cup battle of unbeaten teams at The Oval on Sunday.
Aaron Finch’s side shaded a five-match ODI series between these countries in India three months ago by winning the last three contests in Ranchi, Mohali and Delhi.
That makes getting odds against for the men from Down Under hard to resist and 11/10 they prevail again is our initial India vs Australia prediction.
India kicked off their World Cup campaign
Admittedly, India did kick off their World Cup campaign with a smooth success over struggling South Africa, obliging by six wickets, and warrant the utmost respect.
Rohit Sharma steered his side to victory with an unbeaten 122, but the real damage had been done earlier by a strong bowling line-up restricting the Proteas to 227 for nine.
Yuzvendra Chahal posted outstanding figures of 4-51, but seamer Jasprit Bumrah laid the foundations by dismissing openers Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock cheaply.
Virat Kohli believes Ahmedabad-born paceman Bumrah is set to take the tournament by storm, stating: “He can nick you off on any wicket and he has that belief.
“He’s just going to bowl consistently and can still get you out. When you see batsmen clueless against him, and he’s actually rushing people.
“To get guys out like that, just rushing them a bit, it’s a great thing and it’s a testament to his hard work.
“He understands that this is his time and he’s making the most of it. He’s going to be a massive factor for us here.”
Looking at the India vs Australia odds, we reckon 5/2 for Bumrah to be his side’s top bowler has plenty of appeal.
Australia’s ready for the test
Australia made short work of brushing aside Afghanistan but were then given a tough test by the West Indies at Trent Bridge.
It needed an incredible 92 from 60 balls by number eight Nathan Coulter-Nile for Australia to set a competitive total of 288.
The Windies then looked on course to triumph thanks to useful contributions by Shai Hope, Nicholas Pooran and Jason Holder, but Mitchell Starc cleaned up the tail to leave them 15 runs short.
Starc said: “It was probably touch and go, but we’ve always had the belief there and we’ve got plenty of good bowling in our line-up, so we know we’ve got guys that can bowl at the death.
“We were always only a couple of wickets away and, at the same time, they were probably only a few sticks away from taking the game away from us. It was a fantastic game of cricket.”
That tight tussle will have sharpened the Aussies up, though, and should stand them in good stead here.
Starc was named man of the tournament for taking most wickets when Australia lifted the trophy four years ago and looks in the mood once more.
Let’s complete our India vs Australia betting tips by taking 11/4 for him to be his side’s top bowler.
