India try to upset favourites

India upset the apple cart by knocking out hosts South Africa in the Super Eights on Thursday and now get the chance to upset the favourites Australia by reaching the final of the World Twenty20.

The purists may not enjoy the lottery of the Twenty20 format - matches can be taken out of a side's hands in the blink of an eye - and Australia do not enjoy the dominance that they have grown accustomed to in the Test and one-day arenas.

They have lost twice in the competition so far, to Zimbabwe and Pakistan, and have lost their captain Ricky Ponting to injury, but they remain the side to beat and bet365 make them 4/9 (1.44) to beat India, who can be backed at 13/8 (2.62).

On paper, the Aussies should win this one and they usually play their best in semi-finals and finals, but India have momentum on their side after their surprise win over South Africa on Thursday.

With the likes of Yuvraj Singh, he of the six sixes in an over against England, in outstanding form down the order, India have a good mix of players who are full of confidence and sensing a great chance to win a trophy, all the more impressive given the absence of the big three - Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly.

Yuvraj is just fourth favourite to be his side's top runscorer, at 9/2. That market is lead by Virender Sehwag, who looks back in form, at 7/2. Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa are both 4/1, with the aggressive Mahendra Dhoni and Dinesh Karthik both 11/2.

As usual, Adam Gilchrist and Matt Hayden, who can destroy any attack, are favourites to be top Australia scorers, at 3/1. In the absence of Ponting, Brad Hodge is next at 7/2, with Andrew Symonds a 5/1 bet, Michael Clarke 6/1 and Michael Hussey 7/1.