Cricket Betting: India V South Africa Test Preview
South Africa will try to add the finishing touches to their successful Indian tour when they take on India in the four test Freedom Series. The first match will be played at Mohali from Thursday 5th November and we are taking a look at the match with our cricket betting tip.
Virat Kohli is fresh off his first series win in Sri Lanka and will be making his home debut as Test captain. But, with an unsettled fast bowling and batting order, it will be a huge challenge for the hosts if they want to topple the top-ranked Test nation.
Kohli, the batsman, will be key while much will be expected from Ajinkya Rahane. Rohit Sharma and Cheteswar Pujara will fight for a starting place which is expected to go to Rohit.
The fast bowling cupboard runs bare for the hosts but the focus will be on spinners. With Ravichandran Ashwin back to being fit, the mantle of taking wickets falls on him. Amit Mishra should be an able deputy on supporting wickets.
South Africa come into the series with a settled side. Their batting will depend on the patience of Hashim Amla and the skills of their talisman AB de Villiers. But, the openers will be new to Indian conditions and the lone two-day practice match didn’t help either.
Patience will be needed in bucket loads as the Proteas will be tested on low and spinning tracks. Dale Steyn has a great record in Asia and will be spearheading the attack once more. The spinning department is a little weak for the visitors where Imran Tahir is yet to establish his credentials in Tests while Dane Piedt and Simon Harmer are still green horns.
It will be a test of resolve for the Proteas and their adaptability to the slow turning wickets. The presence of De Villiers is a welcome sight but the form of Amla is a worry. Likewise for India, the form of Shikhar Dhawan is a huge worry while the fitness of Ashwin is a concern.
It would be a close series but the home side could just cross the line as victors at odds of $2.38 at CrownBet for the 1st Test. Ashwin is quite short but looks the goods at odds of $2.76 at CrownBet to be India’s best bowler while Steyn at odds of $3.75 at CrownBet is the best bet to be Proteas’ best bowler.
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