India vs England – 1st Test Betting Tips

India, England to battle for WTC final spot

India and England will battle it out in the four-match Test series, starting from February 05 in Chennai.

The series opener will be played behind closed doors but in the next fixture, up to 50% of the crowds will be allowed to return to the stadium.

The series is of greater significance as the winner will face New Zealand in the final of the World Test Championship in the summers.

India will come in this series as firm favourites as they are coming on the back of a historic Test series win in Australia.

Therefore, the team management will be hoping to see the players continue their good form in the matches on the home soil as well.

On the other hand, England are also coming in the series full of confidence as they registered an impressive clean sweep over Sri Lanka in the recently concluded two-Test series.

Therefore, the visitors team management will be hoping to see the players continue their impressive run of in the series against arguably the best Test team on the planet.

In terms of the results while playing at home, India have an advantage over England as they managed to win on 19 occasions whereas they suffered 13 defeats.

India Form and Team news:

Team India will have a lot of changes in the playing XI from the team who pulled off a great result against Australia in their own backyard.

Captain and star batsman Virat Kohli has returned to the squad after the birth of his daughter and he will lead the side in place of Ajinkya Rahane.

The team will be bolstered by the return of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya who missed the Australia series due to injury as well.

In terms of the batting department, the home team will be relying on the likes of captain Kohli, Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara and wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant to score bulk of the runs.

On the bowling front, the onus will be on the likes of Ishant Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah to produce timely breakthroughs.

England Form and Team News:

England will be coming in this series with a relatively solid playing XI after an impressive outing against Sri Lanka.

However, all-rounder Moeen Ali and right-handed batsman Ollie Pope is likely to return to the playing XI for the first Test.

In the batting department, the visitors will be relying heavily on the likes of Captain Joe Root, wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler, star all-rounder Ben Stokes and Dom Sibley to score bulk of the runs.

On the bowling front, the onus will be on the likes of pace-trio of Jofra Archer, James Anderson, Stuart Broad along with spinners like Jack Leach and Dom Bess to produce timely breakthroughs.

Odds by Casumo

According to the Casumo sportsbook, India will be clear favorites to win this opening game of the series to be played at Chennai. For the opening Test, India are placed at 1.42 odds, while England at 5.50 odds.

Check out our Cricket Odds Here

 

Our Tipster’s Angle

England and India produced similar kind of performances in their last outings and therefore, it is hard to predict an outright winner.

However, with the playing conditions strongly in favor of the home team and their recent success in Australia, it is hard to conclude that any team other than the hosts will emerge victorious in the upcoming series.

Therefore, the prediction is for the India to win the first Test and subsequently, win the series as well.

Tip 1: India’s formidable record at home

Since Virat Kohli took over Test captaincy reins from MS Dhoni, India have consistently delivered clinical performances in home conditions. Since 1^st Jan 2015, India have registered 22 victories in 28 Test matches played.

Their only defeat came against Australia in a Test match played at Pune in 2017 Border Gavaskar Trophy.

Due to their phenomenal record in home conditions, the home side will be determined and looking to continue their dominance against England. So we are backing India to register a win by a margin of 100 runs or more @2.00

Tip 2: Ravichandran Ashwin phenomenal record in home conditions

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin produced splendid spells in the recently concluded Border Gavaskar Trophy played in Australia. The 34-year old is certainly at the peak of his career and will be looking to make an impact for India in this four-match Test series.

Since August 2015, Ravichandran Ashwin has produced staggering numbers in Test matches played at home. In 28 Tests played, Ravichandran Ashwin claimed 159 wickets at an average of 22.01 with 12 five-wicket hauls to his name.

So we are backing Ravichandran Ashwin to take six wickets or more in this Chennai [email protected]

Conclusion

Expect India to register a thumping win over England in the opening Test.

1. India to register a win by a margin of 100 runs or more- India @2.00
2. Ravi Ashwin to take six wickets or more –India @2.50.

Check out our Cricket Odds Here