India vs New Zealand: ODI Series Betting Tips

After outplaying Australia 4-1 in the recent series, India start confidently in the three-match ODI series against a dangerous New Zealand. The Kiwis are always a tough customer in the shorter format with a knack of punching above its weight. This makes the series an intriguing one as the series starts on Sunday, October 22nd with the first of the matches at the Wankhede, Mumbai.

In-form hosts
India is always a tough proposition in ODIs and more so at home. The way they clinically dismantled Australia with the right dose of spin and pace is a prime example. Such is their batting depth that even an out-of-form Virat Kohli didn’t matter much in the series result against the Aussies.

Will their Tasman neighbours face the same fate? India’s bowling will once again be led by their wrist-spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav. The presence of Bhuvneswar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah is a tough nut too and the Kiwis will have to be on their toes to be any match for the hosts.

Can the underdogs perform the final act?
More often than not, the Kiwis start a series as underdogs and they revel in that. There is no dearth of India-experience for the visitors as most of the key players have been playing for years in IPL. Captain Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor and Martin Guptill will be the key while Tom Latham could be vital with his runs in the middle-order.

Bowling will be led by the irrepressible duo of Tim Southee and Trent Boult while Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi provide the spin options. On paper, this Kiwi side has the right ammunition to run the hosts close, but will they be able to execute their plans?

Key Statistics
Just like they do against any opponent, India’s record at home against New Zealand is formidable. They have won 24 out of 32 games with just seven losses against the visitors.

There have been five bilateral series between these nations in India with the visitors losing all those. Interestingly, three of those series have ended in 3-2 for the hosts, an indicator of how close these countries are.

Picks
India start as huge favourites to win the series – both on form and history, and that should explain the low odds of $1.16 (Ladbrokes) on their series win. More interesting pick would be to choose India’s margin at 2-1, odds of $2.25 (Ladbrokes).

TIP: India to win 2-1 – $2.25 at Ladbrokes

For the Kiwis, their captain Williamson looks a good pick to be the top run scorer for the series at odds of $3.25 (Ladbrokes) while Boult at odds of $3.50 (Ladbrokes) can be their best bowler.

TIP: Kane Williamson NZ high runscorer – $3.25 at Ladbrokes

TIPS ARE SIMPLY THE AUTHOR’S OPINION. ALWAYS GAMBLE RESPONSIBLY