This New Zealand v India tour has delivered two extraordinary and very contrasting limited overs series. India whitewashed New Zealand in the T20is and, just as we were expecting a similar outcome in the one dayers, the Kiwis returned the compliment and sealed a 3-0 win with some convincing cricket.
Those series set us up nicely for the first of two tests which starts at Wellington on Thursday. Can New Zealand continue their momentum and exploit India’s perceived weaknesses away from home or will the tourists respond and assert their dominance in the long form?
What are the cricket odds for New Zealand v India?
India will start as favourites but the match result market may be closer than many were expecting. You can back Virat Kohli’s men at odds of 2.20 with Betway while New Zealand aren’t too far behind at 2.50.
This is test cricket so we must also consider the draw which is quoted this time at 5.00. There is no rain forecast over the five days and, taking into account the pace of modern day test cricket, we can probably discount the draw. That leaves us with the task of picking a winner and it could be even closer that those odds suggest.
A concern for India is the absence of the injured Rohit Sharma while many of their key test batsmen showed little form in the One Day series. Captain Kohli is one player who needs to improve in these two games but we know he won’t be out of touch for long. On the basis that India’s batters should respond, we’ll back the tourists this time but it could be exceptionally close.
Match Odds Summary
New Zealand 2.50, India 2.20 (Betway – Editor’s Pick), The Draw 5.00
What are the top batsman odds for New Zealand v India?
Remember that top batsman markets in test cricket are for the first innings only so what are they showing for Wellington? As you’ll be expecting, Virat Kohli is the favourite to score most Indian runs and you can claim the skipper at 3.25 with Bet365. The betting moves out from this point and there could be some value in taking a Satta on Cheteshwar Pujara at 5.00 or Mayank Agarwal at the same odds.
India’s one big question on selection seems to revolve around Rishabh Pant. if he’s involved, Pant could be a strong option at 11.00 while other potential Indian batsmen include Prithvi Shaw at 6.00, Shubman Gill at 6.50, Ajinkya Rahane at 7.00 and Hanuma Vihari at 8.00.
Moving over to New Zealand and while the Kiwis’ top batsman markets were tight in the limited overs games, we have a clear favourite in the tests. Kane Williamson leads the way and you can pick up the captain at 3.60. Ross Taylor is next on the list at 4.50 while the consistent Tom Latham offers a value Satta at 5.00.
New Zealand include some dangerous hitters down the order and other players to consider include Henry Nicholls at 5.50, Colin De Grandhomme at 10.00 and BJ Watling at 11.00.
There are some good prices on both sides but we’re opting for Cheteshwar Pujara as our overall pick. He’s a personal favourite of ours and was in good form in the warm up match ahead of this test.
Top Batsman Odds Summary
India: Kohli 3.25, Agarwal 5.00, Pujara 5.00 (Betway – Editor’s Pick), Shaw 6.00, Gill 6.50, Rahane 7.00, Vihari 8.00, Pant 11.00
New Zealand: Williamson 3.60, Taylor 4.50, Latham 5.00, Nicholls 5.50, De Grandhomme 10.00, Watling 11.00
What are the top bowler odds for New Zealand v India?
It’s been a long preview so we’ll finish very quickly with a look at India’s top bowler market. The seamers dominate and while Jasprit Bumrah is favourite to return best figures on first innings at 3.25 with Bet365, our selection is Ishant Sharma at an excellent 4.50.
We think Ishant is a consistent and underrated bowler and that’s an exceptional price with which to finish this match preview.
India Top Bowler Odds Summary
Bumrah 3.25, Shami 4.00, Ishant Sharma 4.50 (Bet365 – Editor’s Pick), Ashwin 5.00, Umesh Yadav 5.00, Jadeja 5.50
