India starts out as massive betting favorites over England. Bet365 odds on the first test have India at 1/2 while England are massive underdogs at 15/4. The first test is set to start on Feb 5 in Chennai and the conditions will favour the Indian cricket team who has the home advantage of the conditions but not of the fans as the BCCI is not allowing fans in for the first two tests due to COVID-19.
Is India The Better Side?
If you are looking to bet on the India vs. England four match test series, there are quite a few factors you need to consider before you go about placing your bets. While it looks like an open and shut case for India to win, don’t write England off.
To do so would be committing the same mistake that many Australian punters made during their home series against India. Australia started that series as betting favorites because they looked like they had the better team and the advantage of home conditions but India showed how resilience and determination can defy the odds.
India won that series down under 2-1 and know they cannot take England lightly and make that same mistake. Punters, who are going to bet on the test series, need to ask themselves a couple of questions before they bet.
The first question is whether India has the better side for the first test or does England match up. We will have to look at both the batting, bowling and fielding units to draw a quick comparison.
Batting Comparison
You got to back India to have the better batting side as these conditions favour the Indian batsman – normally! However, don’t forget that England have just completed a tour of Sri Lanka and played a two match test series which they won 2-0.
This England team not only comes into the India series with confidence but also come in having played test cricket in Jan 2021 in sub-continent conditions. Their batsmen are definitely better prepared to face India’s spinners than in previous test series. This could make a big difference when it comes to the batting gap between the two sides.
England captain Joe Root had a spectacular series in Sri Lanka scoring a double hundred in the first test and over 180 in the second test. Overall, he made over 400 runs in the series and will be the mainstay of the England batting line-up. They also two more quality players in Jos Butler and Ben Stokes who are very familiar with Indian conditions.
While Indian players are familiar with home conditions, they are coming of a four test series in Australia and might take longer to adjust, especially in the first test.
India have the edge in the batting department but not a big edge.
Bowling Department
India does have the edge in the bowling department with the return of J Bumrah and R Ashwin who missed the fourth test in Australia. However, they will be without R Jadeja who is still injured. The experienced I Sharma is also expected to play the first test.
England has James Anderson and Stuart Broad as well as the pace of Jofra Archer to call upon. Their spinners J Leach and D Bess did well in Sri Lanka but will they be able to run through the talented India batting line-up.
India have a bigger edge in the bowling than the batting.
Fielding
Don’t underestimate or disregard the fielding component. The team that can take their catches and create chances by good fielding will definitely have an edge and could certainly influence the outcome of the match.
The best change that England has of surprising India is in the first test. Don’t be too surprised if England defy the odds and win in Chennai. Down below are more betting options for the test series.
