Gambhir rejects favourites tag

Gautam Gambhir believes India should not be considered as favourites for the one-day series following England's opening win

The tourists claimed a nine-run victory in the first match in Rajkot, but England captain Alastair Cook has said his side are still the underdogs to win the series in the light of two consecutive 5-0 series losses in 2008 and 2011.

The second match takes place in Kochi on Tuesday, with India at 1.66 to level the series and England at 2.20 to take a 2-0 lead. And Gambhir insists the home side should not be expected to go on and win the series.

"I think there are no favourites when two good teams play against each other," said India's opener, who is 4.50 to be his side's top batsman in the match.

"There are no underdogs either. Whoever does the best on that particular day will end up winning the match, like England did last time.

"There are no favourites. I think he [Cook] is just trying to underplay [England's chances in] the series. England are a good side and whoever plays better will win the series."

He added: "It is a new start, a new game. Rather than take what happened last game we want to go out there as if it was a four-match series rather than think we are 1-0 down."

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