Pakistan vs India – Gambhir to see India into final
Published:India have won all four of their previous World Cup meetings with Pakistan and the depth of their batting unit can ensure that they triumph again to reach the final of the tournament for the third time.
Match Odds
The Cricket World Cup betting odds have India as the 4/7 favourites to win the semi final and this is largely down to the talent they possess with the bat.
Openers Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag have combined for 721 runs so far in the tournament and the former will be in focused mood as he attempts to score his 100th international century.
Meanwhile, they have also be ably backed up by the middle order when required, with Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh and Virat Kohli all looking in good touch.
However, a Pakistan victory at 11/8 should not be ruled out and they have already shown they mean business in the tournament by topping Group A.
Their obvious strength lies in the bowling department and they will be relying on Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul to continue to lead the way with the ball.
Afridi is the top wicket taker in this year’s tournament and and if he can dismiss six Indian batsmen then he will surpass Glenn McGrath’s record of 26 wickets in a single World Cup in 2007.
Top Indian runscorer
Pakistan will be keen to get stuck into the Indian openers and there is every chance that Sehwag in particular may get himself out in an attempt to be over aggressive.
Gambhir has looked the most patient of the Indian batsmen throughout the World Cup to date and his watchful manner may prove especially important against Pakistan.
Therefore, it may be worth a small risk on the left-hander being India’s top scorer in their innings at 5/1.
A £20 stake on Gambhir winning the man of the match award would return £240. New customers can sign up here to take advantage of free bets totalling up to £60.
