India's odds slashed to 8-1LONDON: British bookmakers today placed India higher than Australia, slashing their odds from 20-1 to 8-1 after their spectacular 157-run victory over defending champions Sri Lanka at Taunton yesterday.India, who started the World Cup as 10-1 favourites, had slipped to 20-1 after two successive losses to South Africa and Zimbabwe.India's emphatic 94-run triumph over World Cup minnows Kenya in Bristol where batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar hit a magnificent 140 not out, however, did not inspire the London bookies to make any changes.Yesterday's comprehensive win against Sri Lanka, in which Indian batsmen tore apart the opponent's bowling, forced the bookies to shed their conservative attitude towards India and place the 1983 champions above Australia and West Indies. India next play England in a crucial match on Saturday at Edgbaston.Cup favourites South Africa continue to lead the bookies chart as 5-4 favourites followed by Pakistan (5-2) and England(15-2).Before the start of the World Cup, Australia were secondon 7-2 followed by Pakistan and England at 8-1. South Africa were 5-2 favourites and with their three straight wins, the Proteas have consolidated their position to 5-4.Sri Lanka, who started along side India on 10-1, have now slipped to 100-1 after their humiliating defeat against India yesterday. Sri Lanka have only one win - against Zimbabwe - to their credit from four matches.The islanders also lost to hosts England and South Africain their previous encounters. They meet Kenya in their last league tie at Southampton on May 30.Latest odds: 5-4 South Africa; 5-2 Pakistan; 15-2; England; 8-1 India; 9-1 Australia; 14-1 New Zealand, West Indies; 100-1 Sri Lanka; 200-1 Zimbabwe; 1,000-1 Bangladesh.
