CWC NewZealand150Couch Critic provides his betting tips for the first T20 between New Zealand and India which takes place in Auckland on Friday 24th January

 

 

 

 

 

NEW ZEALAND vs INDIA 1st T20, Auckland @ 09:00

 

SETTING THE SCENE

 

India have just embarked on a rather long tour of New Zealand (those involved in all formats will only arrive back on Indian soil in March). With it being T20 World Cup year, it comes as no surprise that the tour stars off with five shortest format games.

The Black Caps don’t have a single player in their squad under the age of 25 which goes to show they are now very much in tune-up mode for the big event in Australia later in the year.

 

LET’S TALK TACTICS

 

New Zealand pitches are often known for being kind to the batsmen rather than the bowlers. In the last T20 international held at this ground England and New Zealand played to a tie in a rain-affected 11 over a side contest which saw it rain sixes with 27 big hits in total. Of course, the Poms will be quick to tell you that this Eden Park track can be the very opposite of Eden Gardens as they suffered embarrassment in the most recent test at this venue in March 2018 as Boult and Southee bowled them out for 58 in just over 20 overs before the home side went on to post 400. Given that it is T20 game against one of the very best in the world (surprisingly India are only ranked fifth at present) and certainly the best supported team in world cricket one can expect the hosts to be happy to supply a deck conducive to high scoring on this occasion.

Regular top order bludgeoners, Guptill and Munro will be tasked with providing the early spark with experienced campaigners Williamson and Taylor ready to set it up for finishers in the form of De Grandhomme, Tim Seifert and Scott Kuggeleijn. There is no Trent Boult for the home side and Hamish Bennett, Blair Tickner and Daryl Mitchell all with less than ten T20’s are being given a chance to audition for a more permanent stay on the international stage.

The Indian squad doesn’t hold too many surprises, and many come off ODI duty against the Aussies. Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube are the only players with less than ten international caps to their name. Samson in particular has often been talked about as a future star and he will be keen to make the most of any opportunity offered him.

 

Take our FA Cup Round 4 treble, Coventry v Birmingham over 2.5 goals, Newcastle v Oxford both teams to score and Portsmouth to win with odds boosted to 10.50

 

HOW I SEE IT PLAYING OUT

 

Given youngish bowling line-ups up against quality, proven expansive white ball batters I reckon we could be in for some big scoring in these T20’s. Eden Park should dish up a run-filled opening encounter.

Kane Williamson didn’t have the best series against Australia and the Kiwi skipper will surely look to set the record straight by starting well against the Indians. Of all the Indian batsmen Virat Kohli is the best suited to foreign conditions and Rohit scores for fun. Yet in the absence of Dhawan K Rahul will be keen to show he is a man for all formats – he has the technique to succeed outside the sub-continent. One of the most improved cricketers of the past 12 months, I’m expecting Colin de Grandhomme to gone from strength to strength especially now that he returns to his favourite format.

 

Best Bets with BETOLIMP:

Top New Zealand Batsman – K Williamson @4.70

Top India Batsman – K Rahul @4.70

Player to hit most sixes – C de Grandhomme @12.50

Team to score most Sixes – New Zealand @2.25 

 

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Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change

 

Couch Critic