James Buttler of the Cricket Badger Podcast takes a look at the four teams making up Group A in the Champions Trophy.
CHAMPIONS TROPHY GROUP A - BANGLADESH, INDIA, NEW ZEALAND and PAKISTAN
India start the tournament as favourites as the cricket world bends over backwards to reach their huge TV audience. After refusing to travel to Pakistan they know where their matches will be played all the way through to the final. No other team does. All matches will be played Dubai, so they’ve been able to pick their squad for that one ground only.
The Indians also got rid of their global trophy famine when they won last year’s T20 World Cup and all in all, the no.1 ranked side in the ICC ODI Rankings has everything in their favour. Take the 2/1 with Vbet before it completely disappears.
The other three sides are therefore, barring major surprises, effectively competing for one semi-final place. New Zealand always bring something to global competitions, Bangladesh are strong in the spin department and Pakistan are on home soil with all of the pressures and pitfalls that may bring.
Pakistan are the defending Champions Trophy champions, albeit from eight years ago, they know the surfaces, and can be superb. They could also fall in a heap. All of that said, I do like their chances, but the 10/11 on them reaching the semis is too short.
Perhaps a punt in an India vs Pakistan final might be worth a nibble at 8/1 with StarSports.
Please gamble responsibly.
Comments