Australia long odds-on for India series

Having beaten Pakistan in a home series for the first time since 1979-80, India will be on a high when they begin a four-Test series in Australia on Boxing Day. And having drawn in Australia on their last visit, in 2004, they will believe they can inflict Australia's first home series defeat since 1993.

Australia are 2/9 for overall victory while India are 8/1 and a drawn series - and don't forget that that was the outcome on their last clash in Australia - is 5/1.

That drawn series was built on a platform of big first-innings totals and the spin of Anil Kumble, who again captains the side after beginning his reign with victory over Pakistan. In 2003/4, though, it should be remembered that neither Shane Warne nor Glenn McGrath played, for various reasons, so their loss will perhaps not be the key factor.

On paper, Australia's results have been just as good so far without them but there is no question they are missed, as much for the control they give their captain as much for the pure wickets they take. Against such a good batting side as India are, they may struggle to bowl out the opposition twice, though pace will be their ally.

India have plenty of incentive to win - it's hard to imagine the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Kumble and Rahul Dravid still being in the team the next time they tour Australia, so we can expect them to do everything they can to put on a show. Tendulkar and VVS Laxman both average over 50 against the Aussies, with Dravid just below.

Bet365 make a 3-0 win for Australia the favourite in the correct score markets, at 11/4 (3.75), but they also have respect for India because a 1-1 draw - as four years ago - is only a 9/1 shot.

That said, a 4-0 whitewash is just 4/1, second favourite, while 2-0 is a 5/1 chance and a 2/1 win is an 11/2 shot. A 3-1 Australia win is 13/2 while a 1-0 win is 16/1.

If you think India can win a series in Australia for the first time, then a 2-1 win is the favourite at 16/1, while 1-0 is 33/1 and 2-0 is 40/1. A 4-0 whitewash is 200/1 while the other outcomes in their favour are 66/1, as is a 0-0 draw, which, given the way these two play their cricket, is incredibly unlikely unless it rains for a month.

India are 6/5 to win at least one Test in the series, but Australia are 8/15 (1.53) to win the first Test, which begins in Melbourne on Boxing Day. India are 11/2 and the draw is 12/5.

The MCG traditionally offers plenty of help to the spinners, which should help India, but for the record, Australia have won eight and lost just one of the past 10 Tests there, so it will be a pretty tough task for Kumble's men.