ODI preview / Ed Hawkins / 22 October 2011 /

Ed Hawkins reports from England's opulent hotel in Mumbai as he selects the best bets for the fourth ODI...

India

Paceman Umesh Yadav, who has taken key wickets in the middle of an innings, has been ruled out for the series. He has a finger injury and his squad place goes to Abhimanyu Mithun, who has two one-day international caps.

Otherwise the headlines have been hogged by MS Dhoni's criticism of the England team. They have come under fire for sledging and fighting among themselves. "They need to stick together as a team," Dhoni said as the whole of India revelled in the result of the 'payback series'.

England

England cut a relaxed crew around their opulent hotel in Mumbai. Players laugh and chat around the pool while they flaunt the 'no diving' rule. But rarely do you get a glimpse of Alastair Cook and Andy Flower. And when you do they are in deep thought with glum faces.

Changes will surely be made. Steven Finn has to go after failing to show any control at the death in the third match while Jade Dernbach's slower ball has become telegraphed. Stuart Meaker and Graham Onions are potential replacements.

Other changes afoot are switching Craig Kieswetter for Ian Bell in the opening berth and allowing the gloves to pass to Jon Bairstow. The time could be for farther experimentation and it would be nice to see Scott Borthwick, the spinner, get a taste.

Venue and conditions

The Wankdehe stadium is only yards from the Brabourne, Mumbai's second of three international venues, and is cooled by a sea breeze with the ocean a big hit away. The first-innings average in the last 10 ODIs is 220 but we should expect more than that with both bowling units a couple of bars below high class.

There is no discernible toss bias with a six-five split in favour of the side batting first in day nighters. India have won nine from 15 matches here while England have a 100 per cent record from two.

The Wankhede should take spin. Anil Kumble, with 12 wickets, and Harbhajan Singh, with nine, are Nos 2 and 3 respectively on the top bowlers' list while Murali Kartik is No 7 with six wickets in just two games.

Match odds

Punters are entitled to wonder, if England can't win having posted just shy of 300, with a heavy toss bias in their favour and looking comfortable with 10 overs to go, then how will they win on this tour?

It is a good question and certainly there is no value in taking them at [2.38], shorter than they were for the last game. India are [1.72]. They need help from the variables like the toss, the pitch or the weather and they are not going to get it here.

Those considering backing India may be concerned that they could take their foot off the gas. There seems to be little to back up such a theory, however. They have won their last four dead rubbers at home with the series already wrapped up.

Top India batsman

This is India's first visit to the Wankhede since the World Cup final so the feelgood factor should still be present. Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni were the stars of the show on that occasion, hitting 97 and 91 respectively. As a result the pair have the more noticeable records. Dhoni averages 54 in three matches while Gambhir, from only two games, has a mark of 97.

Top England batsman

If Bell does play bear in mind he is likely to open the batting but there could be no discrepancy on price. Bell is under Any Other at [3.35]. Cook looks a man under pressure and it is noticeable that he has failed two times out of the three. Perhaps the pressure is getting to him. He is [4.80]. Jonathan trot, with a half century in Mohali, is the [4.40] jolly.

Recommended Bet
India at [1.72] to win 4th ODI

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