Cricket Betting: India vs Australia 1st Test Preview
The recent Tests in India have been so skewed that you would be forgiven to think that the result of any series is a foregone conclusion. Australians are pantomime villains for the cricket loving public in the sub-continent setting the plot nicely for the four Tests. The first match will be played at Pune from February 23 – 27.
Home comforts?
India under Virat Kohli is a team on a roll. Winning has brought so much confidence to this side which is playing fearless cricket. Having gone 19 matches unbeaten, the expectations from the supporters are to whitewash the Australians.
Even though Australia have an inexperienced line-up, India have some worries of their own too. The openers haven’t been successful in providing consistent starts which would surely be the key in this series. Kohli and Cheteswar Pujara have been their mainstays while the all-rounders have constantly pitched with good scores.
On the bowling front, the leader of the pack will be Ravichandran Ashwin. Having amassed wickets in buckets over the past 12 months – 61 wickets in nine matches – the off-spinner will be a tough proposition for the visitors. Giving him support will be Ravindra Jadeja who’s the epitome of consistent lines among Indians.
Can the Kangaroos deliver?
Visiting these shores has never been easy going for the Aussies – definitely not in the recent past. Even their last visit to Sri Lanka has ended in a dismal white wash which tells you why their expectations are low.
The side is low on experience and expertise against spin – barring David Warner and Steve Smith. Shaun Marsh’s presence in the middle order gives optimism of shoring the batting – considering his success in tackling spinners.
With the ball, it will depend on how Nathan Lyon can control the runs and attack at the same time. His rhythm may well decide their chances of restricting the mighty Indian batting. But more than Lyon it will be the swing of Mitchell Starc – both conventional and reverse – that will prove vital.
Lineups
India may go with three spinners which means a call-up for Jayant Yadav. Australia will have to take a call between Usman Khawaja and Matt Renshaw with the scales tilting slightly in favor of the latter.
Odds
The odds favor a home win as India are offered odds of $1.66 (bet365) to win the match while the visitors are tipped at odds of $5 (William Hill).
Kohli is in the ‘form of his life’ and at odds of $3.25 (Ladbrokes) he is a good punt to end up as India’s best batsman. For the visitors, Smith at odds of 3.75 (bet365) looks a safe punt.
With the ball, it has to be Ashwin at odds of $2.50 (William Hill) and Lyon at odds of $3.75 (Coral) who look the best bets to top the charts for their sides.
TIP: India to Win – $1.66 at bet365
ALWAYS GAMBLE RESPONSIBLY
