India cut for series triumph

The effect of the drawn first Test will be fascinating to see as we progress through the four-Test series between India and Australia, but the home side will be the more satisfied with the result in Bangalore.

Considering Australia's phenomenal record in the opening Test of a series over the past decade, anything other than a win for Ricky Ponting's side could justifiably be considered a failure.

So India, who arguably had the more difficult conditions to deal with in Bangalore - losing the toss and batting second - will take the positives from that draw into the remainder of the series.

Traditionally, they get better as a series goes on, while Australia usually hit the ground running. Bet365 certainly think India have the edge now, making them 11/8 favourites to win the series. Australia are only just behind them at 7/4, while the drawn series is a 9/4 chance.

There is clearly very little between the two sides, but it could be significant that Harbhajan Singh and captain Anil Kumble did not have conditions to suit in Bangalore and yet the team still coped well enough. When they do get their way in terms of the pitch then Australia could be in trouble.

Australia did win the last series in India, of course, in 2004, but that was their only series win since 1969 and their bowling still looks relatively weak to me, at least in the spin department where the loss of Shane Warne to retirement is still being felt.

A 1-1 draw was the favourite in the series correct score markets before events in Bangalore and interestingly it remains the favourite, at 3/1, despite India being narrow favourites overall.

A 1-0 win for India is next at 4/1, while 1-0 and 2-0 wins for the Aussies are 6/1. India are 13/2 to win it 2-0. A 0-0 draw is just 10/1 now, while India are 11/1 to win it 2-1 and 22/1 to take the next three Tests. Australia are also 11/1 to win 2-0 but they are a touch longer for a 3-0 triumph, at 25/1.