Bookies remain sceptical of India

INDIA have received their first sledge of the Australian summer from the most coldhearted judges of all – the bookies.

For all of Australia’s problems and India’s standing as the game’s No. 1 side, market framers are unconvinced India are ready to crack their 70year hoodoo in Australia.

Ladbrokes have Australia at $ 2.25 chances to win the series ahead of India $ 2.38 and a drawn series at $ 4.50, with most bookies at similar odds.

Even when down on confidence and talent – Australia normally find a way to wriggle their way to victory on home soil, where they have lost just two of their last 12 series.

India, by contrast, lose a wheel on the road and have won just three of their last 12 away rubbers.

For many decades all that mattered for Indian cricket was winning at home in front of their frenzied fans but now they and their fans want more, which is why they were so disappointed to recently lose 4- 1 in England.

Captain Virat Kohli’s electric reflexes and well grooved technique have proven a show stopper all over the world, leading him to an average of 56 in India and about 51 abroad.

But others such as a Cheteshwar Pujara ( 63 at home, 29.3 away) and Skikhar Dharwan ( 57 and 23), who is no longer in the Test squad, certainly cannot boast the same consistency.

Former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar, a much admired technician and sound thinker who averaged 10 runs better on the road than he did at home, senses India have become too obsessed about protecting their home record.

“Here’s what’s really important – if India really care about winning overseas, they must not care about winning at home so much,” Manjrekar wrote for Cricinfo.

“Because if you are desperate to win at home then you pick players for home conditions like Dharwan, who will let you down on the next overseas tour. Instead, pick a batman who might not be as effective as Dharwan in home conditions but will do better overseas.’’