100k fans jam-packed into the MCG to see bitter rivals clash in the World Cup. Who do the odds like?
Mohammad Rizwan of Pakistan bats.
- T20 WORLD CUP
- INDIA V PAKISTAN
- OCTOBER 23, MCG
- Match Centre here
India take on Pakistan on Sunday at the MCG.
Some rain has been forecast, but punters and the 100,000 that will pack out the MCG will hope that BOM has got it wrong and we can get all 40 overs in.
This match will set the tone of the whole tournament given the vibe and the excitement that we will get out of this game. Not only from the players, but the 100,000 people at the MCG going absolutely bonkers for T20 cricket after Covid stopped this tournament being played in the last few years.
Two of most fierce rivals in the game’s history do battle and it is sure to be a brilliant game of cricket.
India’s captain Rohit Sharma plays a shot.
THE START IS CRUCIAL
Nothing more important in a T20 game than getting off to a good start and setting the tone for the innings. Be it early runs in the powerplay or getting into the middle order as the bowling team and getting some cheap overs in.
Pakistan have two of the best batsmen in the T20 world cup and they will be crucial for Pakistan not only in this game, but in the tournament as a whole.
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan both have been in quite good form coming into the tournament and will want to get the job done on the big stage and show the world how good they are.
Their bowling line up starts with the sheer pace of Harris Rauf, who loves the MCG given his history with the Melbourne Stars (and in the green mind you), so he will look to rip through that Indian top order and fire the crowd up.
That Indian batting line up, though, consists of KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav. Any and all totals with those four men in their line up can be chased down.
The bowling is a touch weakened with Jasprit Bumrah not playing due to injury. India still have quality in the bowling attack with Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammad Shami bringing experience as well as Arshdeep Singh giving them a left-handed change up.
Highest Opening Partnership: Pakistan $1.89 via OKBET
PACE YOURSELVES
Pakistan have a bevy of fast bowlers in their squad and the pacy wickets of Australia will light up their eyes.
As mentioned Pakistan do have Harris Rauf who has a lot of experience at the MCG. These aren‘t the low and slow turning decks that we get in the subcontinent and it does play into Pakistan’s hands, to a degree, given they do not have to face Bumrah and their pace attack is at full strength.
India traditionally look to take the pace off of the ball when they’re bowling and variations of pace and length are crucial on the open expanses of the MCG.
With that being said, we’ve found a bet for those who like playing the exotics and that is the first wicket that Pakistan takes against India.
‘Caught’ is a short-priced favourite for obvious reasons, but given we’ve mentioned the pace aspect that Pakistan bring into this game, it would be no shock to see an early rocket get through the gate of a Sharma or Rahul and importantly get the punters off to a flyer.
1st Wicket Dismissal: India ‘other’ $2.60 (via OKBET)
RECORDS IN THE WORLD CUP
As teams who thrive on this game set up and have traditionally been better at white ball cricket.
Both India and Pakistan have been a touch disappointing when it comes to the T20 World Cup since its inception.
India have only managed to win the tournament once and have let their fans down on many occasions due to the weight of expectation on them. One win, a runner-up finish and another semi final doesn’t cut it for the cricket-mad fans back home.
Pakistan were in the box seat to make the final last year and threw it away, to see Australia go on and win it would have been a brutal blow. They have also won the tournament once
Both teams have the squad and the talent to win the tournament. That’s what makes this first game so important.
Winning Is All That Matters
There’s a big price discrepancy between the two teams with India being favourites at $1.51 and Pakistan $2.48.
Pakistan with the opening partnership of Rizwan and Azam will look to get Pakistan off to a flyer against that weakened bowling attack.
India do have a deep bowling attack and can cover for the loss of Bumrah. The batting though is where the difference is as Pakistan’s drops away in the middle order.
KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma lead off the innings for the Indian’s before that man (King) Virat Kohli strides to the crease and if that isn’t enough, the fearless Suryakumar Yadav then pads up. The Indians will back themselves to chase down any total and with that line up they can.
THE PICK:
Have to go with India, their batting line up is too deep and they can win not only this game, but the whole tournament.
— India: $1.51 (via OKBET)
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