India looking to press on

After experiencing a crushing defeat in the 1st One-Day International last weekend, much of the high enjoyed by the Pakistani team after their fight back in the Test Series will have evaporated in the suffocating heat of Cochin. India, on the other hand will be focused on taking a 2-0 lead as the teams move on to Vishakapatnam and will be hoping their top order can continue to supply the runs. In the possible continued absence of Younis Khan, India look to have the upper hand and once more, bet365 place them as favourites to win the game.

bet365 odds
India: to win match 8/11
Pakistan: to win match 1/1

Once again, the major strength in the Indian team looks to be found in the big names littering the top order. Virender Sehwag will rarely experience such good form and appears to have luck on his side as well, having been dropped off the first delivery of his 84-ball 100 in the first ODI. The devastating strokeplay demonstrated throughout the Test series served him well at again and few would bet against him scoring more important runs against the under-strength Pakistani bowling attack. bet365 once again rate him 3/1 joint favourite to be the top Indian runs-scorer.

The only real question in the Indian batting remains Sourav Ganguly's current lack of form. His poor run through the Test Series continued into the 1st ODI and it truly looks like he does not know where the runs are going to come from at the moment. Despite this (as many have previously said) form is temporary but class is permanent - and Ganguly without doubt has class. He averages over 41 in one-day cricket and averages over 40 as Captain, which destroys the notion that it is the captaincy that has affected his performances. What is more, he is only 64 runs from notching 10,000 ODI runs: surely a landmark which would see confidence coursing through his veins once more. At 6/1 with bet365 to lead his team's batting performance, there appears to be some real value in backing Ganguly to come good again.

If Pakistan are to strike back at Vishakapatnam, they will need inspiration from one of their stars and Shahid Afridi may be the man to deliver. Capable of inspirational cricket when things go well, his unique combination of quick runs and wicket-taking deliveries will be exactly what Pakistan will need to overhaul the Indians. Afridi has not scored an ODI half-century since the start of the VB Series in Australia in January but averages a 50 every 8 matches over his ODI career. Pakistan need him to deliver this match and if he fires, his contribution with bat and ball makes him be an excellent candidate for Man of the Match - bet365 are offering Afridi at 10/1.

bet365 odds
Virender Sehwag: Top Team Batsman 3/1 | Man of the Match 7/1
Sourav Ganguly: Top Team Batsman 6/1 | Man of the Match 14/1
Shahid Afridi: Top Team Batsman 8/1 | Man of the Match 10/1