History
England were the founders of cricket, and also played the first ever test match against Australia in the 19th century, beginning the famous Ashes tours. India, though a bit late to the party, are still the biggest players in world cricket financially, and these two heavyweights have met 122 times in test cricket, dating back to 1932.
England have won 46 of those tests, while India have won only 21, with the rest ending in draws. India need to win at least 2 matches as well as the series, if they want to compete for the World Test Championship Final against New Zealand at Lords.
Team News
England have selected a strong looking squad for this series, however opener Zack Crawley is ruled out of the first two tests because of injury. The rest of the squad is looking fit though, with Ben Stokes expected to be a key player as always, ably supported by the likes of Buttler, Root, Archer, Woakes and even the veteran Jimmy Anderson.
Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Dom Sibley, Chris Woakes, Jofra Archer, James Anderson.
Ajinkya Rahane led the team brilliantly in the second test as he scored a century to ensure India claims a memorable win in Australia.
However, now Kohli is back to captain the side again now and Indian batting line up looks as strong as ever, with even Hardik Pandya making the team, along with the stars of the Australian tour such as Gill, Pant and Pujara. The main bowling attack is back again, as Bumrah, Ishant and Ashwin make their return from injuries.
Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane (VC), Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant (WK), Wriddhiman Saha (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Md. Siraj, Shardul Thakur.
Betting Preview, Picks And Predictions
To Win The Match
India are heavy favourites to win this match after their impressive series win in Australia. The odds for them to win this one are 1.44. This is primarily because many of their injured stars are now back, and the team looks as strong as ever. Odds of England to win this one are 5.20, while odds of a draw are 5.75.
Top Team Batsman In The First Innings
Virat Kohli makes his comeback and is straightaway the favourite to be the top scorer for India in the first innings at 3.25. He is followed by the consistent Pujara at 3.75. After that come the openers Rohit (4.34) and Gill (4.50)
Captain Joe Root is the clear favourite to be England’s top batsman at 3.00, with half centuries in each of his last 6 innings in India. He is followed by the the mercurial Ben Stokes at 5.00 and opener Rory Burns (6.50).
Highest Opening Partnership In The First Innings
With Indian likely to include Rohit Sharma as an opener, the odds for them having the highest opening partnership are 1.67, considering the good form of his potential partner Shubhman Gill. England have had issues with their opening pairing in recent times and hence are 2.18 to have the highest partnership.
Top Team Bowler
Jofra Archer is the favourite to be England’s top bowler at 3.25, followed by the veteran Jimmy Anderson at 3.50 and Stuart Broad at 4.00.
Ravi Ashwin is the favourite to be the top at just 2.88 as he is on home turf where the ball turns a lot. He is followed by Bumrah at 3.25 and lanky pacer Ishant at 3.50.
Individual Player Betting
- Kohli to score more than 70.5 runs over both innings has odds of 1.73, which is a tempting bet as he would like to make a comeback with a bang. Joe Root to score more than 38.5 runs in the first innings has odds of 1.83, which is again a very tempting bet as he would like to establish control from the first game itself.
- Stuart Broad to take 5 or more wickets has odds of 2.95, which is very attractive as he averages more than that in Test cricket and is England’s bowling spearhead. Ashwin to take 5 or more wickets has odds of 1.93, which is attractive as well as he is the most senior bowler in the team now and the match is in home turf.
Our Top Betting Picks
- India to win this match @1.44
- India to have the Highest Opening Partnership @1.67
- Broad to be England’s top bowler in the first innings @4.00
