India v Australia Second ODI Tips: Stick with Gill and Head

• India 1.635/8 favourites

• Gill has fine record

• Head can improve

India v Australia
Sunday 19 March, 08:00
TV: Live on BT Sports

Team news

India proved they aren't just a powerful batting line-up in game one. They showed they have nous and fight with the ball after Australia intiially got on top.

Mohammad Siraj and Mohammad Shami combined to take six wickets apiece. There was also grip for Kuldeep Yadav and Ravi Jadeja. The latter took man of the match for two wickets and holding his nerve when the chase got difficult.

Probable XI: Ishan, Gill, Kohli, Yadav, Hardik, Rahul, Jadeja, Shardul, Kuldeep, Shami, Siraj

Australia left out a fit-again David Warner to go with Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh in the opening berth. Marsh's blistering 81 from 65 suggested it paid off.

However from 129 for two to 183 all out was a collapse of epic proportions. It was perhaps udnerstandable given that Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis were coming in cold.

We're not sure picking only two speicalist pacers and a surfeit of bits-and-pieces all-rounders willl work in testing conditions in India.

Probable XI: Head, M Marsh, Smith, Labuschagne, Inglis, Green, Maxwell, Stoinis, Abbott, Starc, Zampa

Pitch report

In nine games at Vizag there has been an average run rate of just over six. This study period stretches back to 2005, however. In the two most recent games there were first-innings scores of 321 and 387 (by India versus West Indies). That the first match was tied suggests we have a flat one on our hands.

India for a big one batting first, then. We might get 1.834/5 that they bust 300. We will keep an eye on boith teams for 300 with Sportsbook and a special on both teams to score 275 or more and India to win with Sportsbook.

How to play

India are 1.635/8. That could look like a decent price come the end of the series given Australia's tactics of trying to pack their team with all-rounders.

But from a juicy Wankhede surface to a road in Vizag may keep Australia keen. It's possible that they can bat better here, particularly in first-innings.

India's price could well come up and we'd been keen to get with them to chase at around 1.9010/11. Both teams are chasing outfits on past form.

Tops value

KL Rahul, who guided the chase in Mumbai well, got a ton on this ground last time out. It was from the opening position, though. He is 7/2. We're still siding with Shubman Gill, though, at the same price because he has eight wins in 19.

For Australia we expect improvment in Travis Head on a flat surface. It was disappointing he failed in game one but we're prepared to show faith that he goes over 22.5.

It would not be a major surprise if a top-order batter took man of the match honours. Gill is 9/1, Head 10/1 and Virat Kohli is 6/1 jolly.