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India's batsmen eye big runs

India's batsmen will be looking to make hay in the forthcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, which begins on Friday, and bet365 can't split their big three, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag

Simon Cambers
Tendulkar's return to the Test arena has been much anticipated © Getty Images
India's batsmen will be looking to make hay in the forthcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, which begins on Friday, and bet365 can't split their big three, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag. Had Tendulkar been at the top of his game, he would have been the favourite but eight months away from the Test arena has left a little rust so he, Dravid and Sehwag are all 7/2 (4.50) to score the most runs for their side in the three-match series.

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Amazingly, India have played just one Test series - a two-Test affair against Zimbabwe - since March, so there's little recent Test form to go on where their batsmen are concerned. Dravid top-scored against Zimbabwe, but the competition for top runscorer against Sri Lanka will be tough, with VVS Laxman, Gautam Gambhir and even exiled captain Sourav Ganguly gunning for big scores. Ganguly is 50-50 to get his place back in the side, but if he does, he will fancy his chances of making a hatful against an attack that he has plundered in the past. Averaging 41 overall, Ganguly averages 63 against Sri Lanka, while against them in India, it's a massive 98. On that point, though, he has company as Tendulkar averages an enormous 80 in all Tests against Sri Lanka and Dravid 55. Of the rest, in-form wicket-keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni is 14/1 (15.00) though he will be making his Test debut.

For Sri Lanka, most of their hopes of a big score will rely with captain Marvan Atapattu and Kumar Sangakkara. Wuth former skipper Sanath Jayasuriya having been left at home, they will be hoping for big performances from the duo. Atapattu averages just under 40 while Sangakkara, who played well for the ICC World XI in October, averages just under 50 and not surprisingly, is the 5/2 (3.50) favourite with bet365. Atapattu is 4/1 (5.00).

The experience of Mahela Jayawardene, who averages 47, and Tillakaratne Dilshan (37) will be crucial if they are to break their drought in India, where they have not won a Test in 11 tries.Jayawardene is a 9/2 (5.50) chance while Dilshan is 8/1 (9.00). Inbetween, Thilan Samaweera, who has the best average of the Sri Lanka squad with 50, is 11/2 (6.50) while the talented but raw Avishka Gunawardene is 13/2 (7.50).

Spin set to dominate
As for the bowling, bet365 are not exactly sticking their necks out with their prices which suggest spin will be the dominant form of attack. Wily old fox Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh share favouritism for India at just 11/10 (2.10) while there's a big gap to another spinner Murali Kartik, who may not get a place in the side.

As for Sri Lanka, it's a one-man show as far as the bowling goes, in bet365's minds at least, with Muttiah Muralitharan 1/3 (1.33) to come out on top. Chaminda Vaas, a more than solid performer is 4/1 (5.00) but it's hard to see Murali not finishing as his side's top wicket-taker, if he stays fit.

Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.

Simon Cambers is Cricinfo's new betting correspondent