India favourites despite setbacks

/ Editor / 05 May 2007 / Leave a Comment

Betfair customers feel India will be far too good for Bangladesh in the first one-day international next week despite the tourists' injury problems.

Star batsman Sachin Tendulkar is already a doubt for the match in Dhaka on Thursday after suffering a sprained ankle in training and now skipper Rahul Dravid has joined the little maestro on the treatment table, after being hit on the head while batting against seamer RP Singh in practice.

The captain suffered bruising to his nose and face when the ball somehow found its way between the helmet visor and grille, and doctors have advised the right-hander to rest for 24 hours before continuing his preparation.

India made a shock exit in the group stage of the World Cup but are on offer as the 1.29 favourites to beat the newest Test-playing nation when the two sides lock horns in the Bangladeshi capital, with the hosts trading at 4 to cause an upset.

Dravid is expected to play in the first of three one-dayers and an Indian board spokesman confirmed that the injury is not giving the team or player any real cause for concern.

"His condition has been diagnosed as nose trauma," he said "He was hit on the grille and the ball grazed his nose. There was no cut, just bruises. It is not serious."

Punters also believe that India will win the series in a market yet to develop, after Bangladesh failed to shine in the Caribbean with just two points from their Super 8 campaign.