Another classic encounter in the pipline

When India and Pakistan last met to contest a one-day series, in 2004, a succession of enthralling matches ensued: India came from 2-1 down to clinch the series in a climactic final game. Strong batting from both teams produced a number of high-scoring encounters and stunning individual performances. But it is Pakistan who have the psychological edge after their win in the 3rd Test at Bangalore and they are also ranked higher than their neighbours. But, with India enjoying home advantage, everything points to a very close series once more.

bet365 odds
India to win 1st ODI: 4/5 | To win series: 21/20
Pakistan to win 1st ODI: 10/11 | To win series: 29/20

After notching 544 runs at over 90 in the recently completed Test series, Virender Sehwag will believe himself ideally positioned to live up to his bold claim - that he will be the first man to score a double hundred in an ODI. In current form, this achievement is realistic: the opposition bowlers will struggle to curb the scoring rate of the dynamic opener. Despite a relatively modest ODI average of 32.40, Sehwag is rated by bet365 as 3/1 joint favourite to lead his team's batting.

Pakistan's top performer in the Test series was their vice-captain, Younis Khan, whose tally of over 500 runs was largely thanks to his superb 267 at Bangalore. He, too, finds himself in sterling form heading into the ODI series, but history is not on his side: in 11 one-day matches against India, Younis has never scored a fifty and only averages a disappointing 20. He will, however, be looking to improve his fortunes this time around and could be in line to continue piling on the runs. Younis Khan is offered at a generous 11/1 to be Man of the Match for the 1st ODI.

India v Pakistan 2005 Test series statistics

The star of last year's limited overs series between the two teams was undoubtedly Pakistan's captain, Inzamam-ul-Haq. But in both matches that he struck hundreds, Pakistan went on to lose - and he will certainly want to lead from the front in a winning campaign this time around. Inzamam was also in excellent form in the Test series and boasts a career ODI average of very nearly 40 - always the sign of a class player. Unsurprisingly, bet365 see him as a likely contender for Man of the Match, placing him second favourite at 8/1.

Pakistan v India 2004 ODI series statistics

bet365 odds
Virender Sehwag: Top Team Batsman 3/1 | Man of the Match 7/1
Younis Khan: Top Team Batsman 4/1 | Man of the Match 11/1
Inzamam-ul-Haq: Top Team Batsman 4/1 | Man of the Match 8/1