Cricket Betting Preview: India vs. Australia Odds, 2nd Test Analysis

Australia head into the second Test against India in Bangalore on Saturday knowing a victory would see them retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and put them on the precipice of one of the great cricketing upsets of this century.

It's been well-documented that Australia have won just one Test series on Indian soil in 48 years. That was in 2004, but the oddsmakers have shortened the visitors' odds of winning the series from $12 to just $2.75, according to AustralianGambling.com.au.

India remain series favorites at $2.25 despite facing that 1-0 deficit, and they are $1.88 to win the Bangalore Test and square the series.

Australia haven't won back-to-back Tests in the same series in India since that 1969 tour, and they are $4.25 to break that drought here. The draw is priced at $3.40, with rain interruptions a strong possibility.

The most recent Test played at this venue in late 2015 saw the final four days of play washed out, so the weather could play a significant role with the pitch expected to be more suitable for batting earlier in the match.

India will be looking to a stronger contribution from their captain Virat Kohli, who managed just 13 runs in his two innings in Pune, including his first Test duck in two-and-a-half years.

Kohli tops the market to be India's leading first-innings run scorer at $3, having scored 150 or more in four of his past eight first-innings knocks. Cheteshwar Pujara, who top-scored with just 31 in the second innings in Pune, is next pick at $4.33, while Lokesh Rahul, the only Indian to make a half century in the first Test, is at $5.50.

Steve Smith was the shining light for the Aussies with the bat in that match with a crucial second-innings century. He is $3.50 to top score in the first innings for Australia with David Warner, who made just 38 and 10, next at $4. The tourists' top scorer in the first dig in Pune was Matt Renshaw, who made 68. He's $5.50 to repeat the dose here.

Man-of-the-match honors went to Steve O'Keefe, who produced two remarkable six-wicket hauls. He is the $3.50 favorite to have a major influence again in Bangalore and take the most Indian wickets in the first innings, with a refreshed Mitchell Starc—who bowled just 11 overs in the opener—at $3.75.