India overpriced for victory

Belfast may be an unusual venue but the two sides are more than familiar as India and South Africa, two of the most prolific sides in one-day cricket, square off in a three-match series, starting on Tuesday.

Usually, contests between these two sides are closely contested but bet365 clearly believe South Africa have the advantage as they make them 4/9 (1.44) to win the opening match, compared to India's tempting price of 13/8.

Looking at the two squads, I can't see exactly why that is. Ok, so India have dropped Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Munaf Patel and Irfan Pathan, but they still possess a superb batting line-up.

The rejuvenated Sourav Ganguly is back where he enjoys himself most in one-day cricket, at the top of the order, while Sachin Tendulkar, captain rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Sungh are in a top six that most sides can only dream of.

Without Harbhajan dropped, Ramesh Powar will take on the spinning duties but India's real problem could be a mental one. They have won just three of their past 10 Tests away from home and they are always vulnerable outside of India.

That said, South Africa, though a pretty tight one-day unit, are not at full strength as they test out some of their promising youngsters.

Jacques Kallis leads the side in the absence of Graeme Smith, while Shaun Pollock is also rested, leaving the side a little short on experience.

Top bat
Ganguly is 7/2 favourite to be India's top runscorer in the first match and that's no surprise. The former captain averages more than 50 in his past 20 matches, even better than his excellent overall average of just under 42.

Tendulkar, the run machine who has shown signs of finding top form again of late, is next at 4/1, while Gautam Gambhir is next at 9/2, with Yuvraj and Dravid both 5/1.

For South Africa, Kallis is the 10/3 favourite, with Herschelle Gibbs and AB De Villiers both 7/2, while the newcomers follow close behind. And don't count out Mark Boucher, the wicket-keeper, who is a 7/1 chance.

Given the relatively even look of the two teams - on paper at least - India have to be backed at 13/8 to win the opening match.