Cricket betting tips: Best bets for India vs West Indies and South Africa vs Australia
India look to seal the T20I series against West Indies in Hyderabad, while South Africa aim to level the Test series against Australia in Gqeberha.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s cricket betting expert Himanshu Sharma breaks down the best bets, value plays, and key betting angles ahead of this week’s action.
India vs West Indies, 4th T20I
Date and time: Wednesday, October 14 at 2:30 PM BST
Venue: Rajiv Gandhi Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad
India hold a 2-1 series lead heading into the fixture, but West Indies have shown enough resilience to make the hosts work for victory.
IPL matches at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium have regularly produced run fests over the last two years, making a first-innings total over 200 runs a distinct possibility.
However, it is worth waiting for the opening overs to assess the pace and bounce on offer.
If the ball holds in the surface or batters struggle to time their shots, the in-play totals could offer value against an initially high-scoring market.
India are favourites in the match-winner market at 1.27, but West Indies are worth considering at 3.75.
Earlier in the series, we have seen the visitors' ability to chase down 249 with ease to demonstrate the firepower they possess.
Abhishek Sharma is worth another look in the player markets, particularly at the home venue of his IPL franchise, Sunrisers Hyderabad.
For West Indies, Shai Hope has been in excellent form on the tour and will look to maintain his rich vein of form with another substantial score.
Best bets
West Indies offer value in the match-winner market
Abhishek Sharma to be India’s top batter
Shai Hope to be West Indies’ top batter
First innings total over 200 runs
South Africa vs Australia, 2nd Test
Date and time: Sunday, October 18 at 9:00 AM BST
Venue: St George's Park, Gqeberha
Australia head to Gqeberha with a crucial advantage after winning the first Test in Durban.
The hosts will be keen to respond, and Australia should not underestimate them.
With Australia priced at 1.80 and the hosts at 1.95, the match-winner market makes the visitors marginal favourites despite South Africa's home advantage.
We see value in siding with the hosts, particularly given the potential for conditions to play differently from the opening Test.
The venue's history offers a useful reminder that Australia cannot take their lead for granted.
On their last Test tour of South Africa in 2018, they won the opening match in Durban before losing the second Test at Gqeberha.
The series ultimately unravelled for Australia following the Sandpaper controversy, with the hosts winning 3-1.
The pitch is another reason to consider South Africa.
Gqeberha is not traditionally as bouncy as some other South African surfaces, which could reduce the advantage of Australia's pace attack.
The potential for spinners to become more influential as the match progresses also adds another dimension to the contest.
That makes the first innings particularly important. A total above 300 could put either side in a commanding position.
Australia deserve their favouritism after the Durban result, but one win does not necessarily justify them as the stronger proposition at every venue.
Best bets
South Africa to win at 1.95
First-innings total over 300 runs
READ NEXT: Cricket analysis: Why the final score never tells the full story
