Free tips & T20 specials for India vs. Australia in Guwahati

“RAIN, rain, go away, come again when we are not trying to defend a minuscule total in a Twenty20 game.”

That should be the chant in the Australia camp after the weather left them scrambling in the opening clash of their T20 series with India.

Aaron Finch (42) was the sole contributor of any note as the visitors blundered to 8/118 in Ranchi on Saturday night.

Still, they were in with a shout after the Duckworth-Lewis adjustments left India needing 48 runs from only six overs.

Victory looked within reach when Nathan Coulter-Nile dismissed Rohit Sharma on the back of a strong opening over from debutant Jason Behrendorff.

That brought Virat Kohli to the crease, however, and the Indian skipper made light work of a tricky job to guide his side home with three balls to spare.

The big question for Australia is whether or not to ring the changes as they did throughout the recent (and rather calamitous) ODI series.

Steve Smith is out injured, which leaves a huge hole in a batting lineup that already looks short of A-graders.

The obvious solution is Marcus Stoinis – an established top-order bat at domestic level who was conspicuous by his absence in the first T20.

His inclusion would come at a cost, but one could make sound arguments for dropping any of Glenn Maxwell, Travis Head, Moises Henriques and Dan Christian.

It would be a shock if India made any changes to the side that triumphed in Ranchi.

The recalled Shikhar Dhawan hardly had a chance to state his case before the game was won, so he should get another hit at the top of the order.

Jasprit Bumrah (2/17) impressed yet again at the head of a well-drilled bowling attack, as did the unheralded spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav (2/16) and Yuzvendra Chahal (1/23).

Aaron Finch top batsman betting

• Most runs vs. Warner – $2 at William Hill
• Top Australia batsman – $4 at Neds
• To score 50 – $4.80 at Sportsbet
• Most match sixes – $6 at Bet365
• Top match batsman – $6.50 at Sportsbet
• Man of the match – $11 at Ladbrokes

When you see Finch doing what he is doing right now, it is hard to believe anybody else could supplant him as David Warner’s optimal opening partner.

Since returning from injury for the third ODI, the Victorian slogger has led the charge with scores of 124, 94, 32 and 42.

With Smith out of action and uncertainty shrouding the rest of Australia’s top six, there is no reason to look past the first two names on the batting list.

While Warner is the understandable favourite in most of the major markets, Finch’s recent form makes him excellent value for props such as top batsman and most sixes.

India vs. Australia match tips

Australia’s squad boasts plenty of talented players who have starred for their state sides and their country in the short form.

The question is whether this motley crew of newbies, fringe dwellers and recalled veterans can all bring their A-game on the big stage.

Head has just about batted himself out of a job on this tour and Maxwell has done nothing much to enhance his reputation, while the likes of Christian and Henriques are probably playing a level above their grade.

India, on the other hand, are bursting with match winners – including a few who did not even make the squad, let alone the first XI.

Everything points to a series-clinching win for the hosts.

India to win – $1.55 at Neds.com.au