Start time: 1030, 27/06/2019
Venue: Old Trafford
TV: Sky Sports
India appear to be marching imperiously towards the Cricket World Cup semi-finals and are hot favourites to end any hopes of a West Indies rally at Old Trafford.
However, it has been interesting to note how the Men in Blue like to build steadily when batting, rather than going gung-ho from the outset.
That game-plan should be re-enforced here after slipping to 224 for eight against Afghanistan almost cost them an embarrassing defeat last time out.
With Chris Gayle in opposition, that could make 11/10 for the Caribbean outfit to score more runs in the first 15 overs a value India vs West Indies prediction.
India’s Betting Tipps and Odds
These teams met in a five-match ODI series in India last October, with the hosts coming out on top via three wins and a tie.
Virat Kohli led from the front in the batting department, with his knocks including an unbeaten 157 and 107.
However, Rohit Sharma was even more impressive during that series, posting scores of 152 not out, 162 and an unbeaten 63.
The 32-year-old opener has also been India’s leading batsman at this tournament, hitting 320 runs from four straight victories in completed fixtures.
Looking at the India vs West Indies odds, that makes 11/4 for Rohit to top score for the Men in Blue in Manchester a tempting option.
West Indies’ tips for the game
The West Indies started out with an impressive triumph over Pakistan but several close encounters have since gone against them in a run of four consecutive losses.
Carlos Brathwaite’s incredible century, including 25 in the 48th over, almost rescued the Windies against New Zealand at this venue on Saturday.
However, he was caught on the boundary going for a six that would have secured victory and that sums up how the tournament has gone for this team.
Brathwaite said: “It’s obviously bittersweet. It’s heartbreaking to get so close and not get over the line, but there were some positives and I think the fight that the lower order showed was commendable.”
The specialist batsmen have been too inconsistent, but Shai Hope can take heart from having hit knocks of 123 not out and 95 in India last October.
He is 3/1 to top score for his side here and that completes our India vs West Indies betting tips.
