The main Indian team have been preparing long and hard in English conditions while an Indian ODI and T20 side just completed a series against Sri Lanka. India have already spent a month in England and are keen to start their five match test series. They don’t have to wait much long as the first test will start on August 04 in Nottingham.
India will be very keen on starting the series with a win after losing the World Test Championship to New Zealand in England at the start of the tour. You can place your bets at any of the sites listed below.
India vs. England – Betting Odds For First Test
England go into the first test as big betting favorites and rightly so given they are playing in home conditions. Bet365 has given England odds of 2.62 while India are massive underdogs with odds of 4.20. The chances of this game ending in a draw are currently at 2.30.
We believe that if this games does not get impacted by rain, we will definitely end up with a result. However, the weather forecast at the moment is not looking very good as rain is predicted on all five days of the test. The big question is whether the rain will end up costing the game a lot of overs or will the short interruptions not be too much of a problem.
The forecast for rain will mean a dull and gloomy day which is perfect for swing bowling. The team that wins the toss is likely to bowl first and make use of the conditions.
India vs. England – Predictions For First Test
While overhead conditions should normally favour the English attack of Anderson and Broad, the two veterans haven’t been in the greatest form of late. They are very near to the end of their careers and English fans will be hoping they have a little more magic left in them. If they get their act together, the two veterans can be a huge problem for India.
India will still fancy their chances against England as they have spent a lot of time getting familiar with English conditions. Most of these sessions have been net sessions apart from the WTC against New Zealand and a 3 day tour game in July which gave India some much needed time in the middle.
India goes in with a strong squad as most of their top players are fit with the exception of young S Gill who is injured. The two big decisions that India will have to make is who will play at number 6 and which spinner will get the nod. H Vihari usually bats at six but KL Rahul scored an impressive century in the tour game and should be in the playing XI.
R Ashwin is generally the first choice spinner but R Jadeja played very well with the bat in the tour game. We think R Jadeja should get the nod ahead of R Ashwin. India’s bowling attack consisting of J Bumrah, M Shami and I Sharma can also be very dangerous in conditions that allow the ball to swing. Bumrah has been off colour for quite some time now and needs to pick up some wickets in the first test.
England go in with a strong squad but they will definitely miss Ben Stokes. The England vice-captain was expected to play the India series but decided to pull out at the last minute over mental health concerns. There is no indication as to when Stokes will return to international cricket.
The key players for England are going to be captain Joe Root, James Anderson and Jos Butler. The key players for India will be captain V Kohli, C Pujara and M Shami.
India vs. England – First Test Verdict
We are going to back the hosts to win the first test as we don’t think the Indian selectors will play KL Rahul and R Jadeja. We think this could end up costing them the first test.
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