India v England cricket betting tips & best odds | Jan 25-29

The much-anticipated test series between India and England is set get underway in Hyderabad this week, as the ‘Bazball’ phenomenon enters the toughest test in cricket.

Under the guidance of coach Brendon McCullum and the captaincy of Ben Stokes, the English cricket team has showcased commendable performance, remaining undefeated in series since their takeover in the summer of 2022.

However, the challenge becomes considerably more formidable when facing India away. Since England’s triumph in 2012, no team has managed to secure a series victory on Indian soil, making it one of the most daunting tasks in Test cricket.

India, dominant at home with only three losses in 40 Tests over the past decade, raises concerns for England as they kick off the series in Hyderabad. The upcoming matches in Visakhapatnam, Rajkot, Ranchi, and Dharamsala pose a significant challenge for the visiting batsmen, anticipating a tough trial by spin.

Recalling the 2021 tour, Joe Root’s Chennai double-century set the stage for an unexpected first Test victory. However, India’s spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel, displayed their prowess, dismissing England for low scores in the subsequent matches.

With Ashwin, Axar, and Ravindra Jadeja forming a formidable slow-bowling trio, India holds a potent advantage in spin-friendly conditions.

Both England and India face setbacks as key batters, Harry Brook for England and Virat Kohli for India, are missing due to personal reasons. Kohli is set to sit out the first two Tests, while England hopes for Brook’s return later in the tour.

India, yet to name a replacement for Kohli, might reshuffle the middle order, considering options like moving Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul up the order. Rahul, relieved from wicketkeeping duties, adds to the team’s flexibility. The hosts also suffer the absence of paceman Mohammed Shami due to an ankle injury.

Without Brook, Ben Foakes is likely to return as the wicketkeeper, with Jonny Bairstow playing as a batter. Captain Stokes, recovered from knee surgery, will refrain from bowling. Rehan Ahmed is expected to be the second spinner ahead of Tom Hartley on the anticipated turning pitch, with Joe Root providing backup.

Uncapped Shoaib Bashir remains unavailable due to a visa issue, as he is still in Abu Dhabi.

India v England 1st Test top tips & odds

It’s nearly unthinkable to bet against India on their home turf, even in the absence of King Kohli. Undoubtedly, winning cricket games in India is one of the most formidable challenges globally, as evidenced by the Indian Test team losing just two of their last 26 home games. Although England handed India one of those losses in the 2021 tour, India ultimately claimed the four-match series 3-1. The margins of victory in the three other games were emphatic: 317 runs, 10 wickets, and by an innings and 25 runs. Considering India’s dominant track record, it’s a surprise that there’s still value at -232.56 for them to win the first Test.

In the absence of Virat Kohli in the initial matches, India looks to Rohit Sharma for both leadership and batting prowess. Rohit’s significant contribution of 345 runs in the 2021 series, coupled with his current form, establishes him as a pivotal player for the team. As challenging pitches are anticipated, Rohit’s crucial role lies in his capacity to capitalise on the new ball effectively, and looks like a great bet to top the runscoring charts for India in their first innings.

England, dormant in Test cricket since the conclusion of the Ashes in July, faces the challenge of bouncing back after a surprising early exit from the 50-over World Cup in India last November. The onus is on openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett to provide solid starts, especially considering their struggles in previous tours of India. However, Duckett’s first-innings runs line of 23.5 seems like a smart play. In the recent series in Pakistan, Duckett showcased his prowess with innings of 107, nought, 63, 79, 26, and an unbeaten 82. His stellar performances last summer, including a score of 182 against Ireland and 98 and 83 in the Ashes Test at Lord’s, solidified his position at the top of the order.

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