Outsiders India face uphill struggle Down Under

India's chances in Australia are remote, according to bookmakers bet365. The Indians are rated 9/1 outsiders in the four-match Test series in odds announced today. Australia are 1/7, and a drawn series is 4/1. The upside of such long odds is, of course, that patriotic India fans who expect a repeat of the epic 2000-01 series - which India won 2-1 at home - can get exceptional value at the bookies.

Indian hopes rest with a strong batting line-up, so the Indian Top Team Batsman market makes compelling reading. Following his success in the World Cup and in the recent TVS Cup, bet365 have installed Sachin Tendulkar as short-priced favourite. He is a conservative 4/6 to lead the Indian scoring in the series, which reflects his expected contribution. Rahul Dravid is certainly worth considering at 7/2, and VVS Laxman, one of the heroes of that memorable 2000-01 series, is 13/2.

For Australia, Steve Waugh will be aiming to crown his glittering career with another major contribution. He is 6/1 to lead the Australian scoring in the series, and is the patriot's choice in this market. The prolific Matthew Hayden (11/4) is favourite in the Australia Top Scorer market, closely followed by Ricky Ponting (7/2) and Justin Langer (4/1). Adam Gilchrist is perhaps the most attractively priced - he was second only to Tendulkar in the TVS Cup.

bet365 will be betting live "in-running" throughout this Test series.

Also betting on:
Pakistan v New Zealand
Sri Lanka v England
ING Cup