Pakistan only narrow favourites
After their deserved victory over England, Pakistan welcome India for a three-Test series, starting in Lahore on Friday and bet365 believe they can gain revenge for their 2-1 defeat by India on home soil in 2004
| |
|
Click here to bet on Pakistan v India at bet365
In 53 Tests between the two neighbours, Pakistan have won 11 to India's eight, with a massive 34 ending in a draw. In Pakistan, the home side have won six of the 23 matches, losing just two and drawing the other 15. The fact that the two squads are used to the conditions of their opponents makes draws more likely, as does the traditionally slow pace of the pitches.
However, there are rumours that Pakistan are preparing faster than normal pitches to welcome India, based, supposedly, on the theory that India's top order are vulnerable to pace. That, though, is a bit of a stretch when you consider that the likes of Sehwag, Tendulkar, Dravid, Laxman and Ganguly have made stacks of runs against every pace attack in the world game.
When India won the series in 2004, Sehwag made a triple century, Dravid a double and Tendulkar was just six runs away from a double of his own. If they show top form, it's hard to see Pakistan winning any of the matches. Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq is in sensational form of his own, of course, having averaged more than 100 against England but he'll have to lead by example if his team are to prosper. Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble will toil away at their batting line-up while Irhan Pathan has shown useful form, and he can bit more than a bit too.
Pakistan have not lost to India in six Tests in Lahore, venue for the first Test, and the Gaddafi Stadium was the scene of their lone win when India toured in 2004. They have won one and drawn the other three Tests against India in Faisalabad, where the second match will be played, while in Karachi, where the series will end, they are also unbeaten, winning two and drawing the other three.
India are on something of a roll, having won 11 and lost just four of their past 20 Tests. The selection of former captain Sourav Ganguly is an interesting one, and bet365 may well produce some specials on his performance. The left-hander will add to India's experience and he will be out to prove he still has something to offer at the highest level, despite being replaced as captain by Dravid.
A 1-1 draw is the 3/1 (4.00) favourite in the correct score markets, just ahead of a 1-0 win, which is a 7/2 (4.50) shot, for both sides. A 0-0 draw is a 13/2 (7.50) chance, while a 2-0 Pakistan win is 7/1 (8.00) and a 2-0 India win is 17/2 (9.50). The big outsider is a 3-0 whitewash for India, which is a 33/1 (34.00) bet.
Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.
Simon Cambers is Cricinfo's new betting correspondent
Read in App
Elevate your reading experience on ESPNcricinfo App.