The Indian team might not have lost a single match in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, but as per the bookies the co-hosts (Australia) of the tournament are going to defeat the men in blue when they meet for their semi-finals clash at Sydney Cricket Ground.
For the huge match, the bookies are said to be offering 50/100 (50 paisa for a rupee) on Australia, but for India, the value stands at two rupees for a rupee, as reported by The Times of India.
From this, one understands that if a person places a bet of around Rs 1000 on Australia and the co-hosts win, the person is set to receive Rs 500, while a person betting the same amount on India will earn Rs 2000, if India turns triumphant.
But the bookmakers are not always right as was established when New Zealand defeated South Africa in a thrilling semi-finals encounter at Eden Park in New Zealand. The odds for the game stood at 75/100 for a Proteas victory, while for the Black Caps, it was 130/100 (one rupee and 30 paisa for a rupee)
So can India also prove the bookies wrong by defeating Australia? Only time will tell.
But as far as the match goes, experts are expecting a close match, which could go either way. Both the teams have been in ominous form throughout the competition.
After India's dismal showing against the Aussies prior to the World Cup, there were very few who expected India to be such a strong contender for the title, which they won in 2011 as well.
Australia are aware of the fact that the Indian team have improved by leaps and bounds since they faced off in the ODI tri-series, so they are not going to take the Indian team lightly. The Indian team have been consistent with both the bat and the ball in the tournament and surprisingly, it is the Indian bowlers, who have been in prime form.
Mohammed Shammi has been the most impressive bowler for India with 17 wickets against his name, but he needs to be on top of his game with Australian batsmen such as Steven Smith, David Warner and Glenn Maxwell in prime form.
These Australian batsmen would also be confident while facing the Indian bowlers, for they thrashed the present crop of Indian bowlers all around the park in the tri-series prior to the World Cup.
