Match Previews / Andrew Hughes / 07 March 2011 /

One hiccup against England aside, India have progressed smoothly through the group stage and they can confirm their quarter final place with victory over the Netherlands.

London Start Time: 09:00

Venue and Conditions
It is hard to know what to make of the relaid surface at the Feroz Shah Kotla, largely because the first two games here were one-sided affairs. The pitches used so far have not been minefields, but there were signs during the Canada v Kenya game that the track was reverting to type, getting slower, lower and offering assistance for the spinners. The team fielding second will have to cope with the inevitable evening dew.

Team News
M S Dhoni has talked about rotating the spin bowling and there is a chance that Ashish Nehra may also get a game if Zaheer Khan needs a rest, but there is a good chance of an unchanged Indian XI taking the field in Delhi.

The Netherlands have been unchanged for three games in a row, but two crushing defeats will surely prompt them to tinker. Spinner Adeel Raja and quick bowler Bradley Kruger are the alternative bowling options.

Match Odds
Having failed to take their chance against England in their opening match, the Netherlands find themselves on the brink. They are in with a chance of beating rock bottom Bangladesh and fellow Associate nation Ireland. But before that, they are faced with the toughest test of all: a game against the hosts and tournament favourites in front of a partisan home crowd.

India are not unbeatable. Their batting-heavy line-up leaves their bowling a little light on occasions and their fielding is hit and miss. But it is hard to see the Netherlands causing an upset, simply because their bowlers have not looked capable of posing any of the better teams problems. It could be carnage out there when the likes of Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh get stuck in and even at [30.0] the Dutch make no appeal.

Top Batsman
Ryan ten Doeschate and Top Cooper have led the way with the bat for the Netherlands but Bas Zuiderent is starting to find his touch and the reliable veteran is worth a punt at [10.0] to play the anchor role.

India's batsmen are taking it turns to top score and any of the top five can be named with confidence against the Netherlands bowling. But Gautam Gambhir should relish batting on his home ground and he is available at [5.5]

Featured Market
The average number of sixes per game here so far is seven, but the West Indies managed to hit nine against the Netherlands and India can outscore the men from the Caribbean. Back '8 or more' in the Total Sixes market at [2.75] or better.

Best Bet:

Back '8 or more' in the Total Sixes market at [2.75]

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