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Momentum with India in Kolkata

India would have been more disappointed by the washed-out third one-day international after they had ended South Africa's superb run without defeat in the second match of the five-game series



Eden Gardens has been a favourite ground for Tendulkar and his fans will no doubt be expecting runs again on Friday © Getty Images
India would have been more disappointed by the washed-out third one-day international after they had ended South Africa's superb run without defeat in the second match of the five-game series. However, having levelled the series at 1-1, the momentum is still with them and they will be confident of taking the lead after Friday's fourth match, a day-nighter in Kolkata.

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The home side have won eight of their 13 one-day internationals at Eden Gardens and although they have lost the last two there - to Pakistan and Australia, bet365 make them 4/7 (1.57) favourites to win and go 2-1 up with one to play.

Click here to bet on India v South Africa at bet365

One defeat, of course, does not make a bad side and South Africa will be primed to bounce back at the first time of asking. However, the fact that Sachin Tendulkar has yet to hit top form in the series doesn't bode well for their chances as the little master rarely fails in successive matches, particularly in the one-day game. South Africa are 5/4 (2.25).

Those who believe the time is right for a big innings from Tendulkar will be buoyed by his record at Eden Gardens, too. Averaging 44 overall in one-day cricket (with 38 centuries), he averages a whopping 60 there, including one hundred and four half-centuries. bet365 make him joint favourite at 7/2 (4.50) with opener Virender Sehwag to be top India runscorer. Captain Rahgul Dravid is 4/1 (5.00).

The South Africa batting market also has joint favourites, with captain Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis both just 3/1 (4.00) to come out on top. AB De Villiers is 11/2 (5.50) third favourite. As always with day-night matches, the side batting first has the advantage, in my opinion at least, and 11 of the 19 matches played at Eden Gardens have been won by the side batting first. Seven of the 10 day-nighters there have gone to the side batting first.

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

Simon Cambers is Cricinfo's new betting correspondent