England v India Cricket Odds : Home win in Ahmedabad looks too big to miss for punters
Alistair Cook leads England in a tough looking four Test-series against India, as we take a look at the latest England v India cricket odds and up to date betting markets for the all-important first-Test in Ahmedabad.
Under new skipper Alistair Cook, England look to have it all to do if they are to come home from India with any sort of result. Conditions are unlikely to suit, as spin bowling on flat-like tracks will be the order of the day.
England’s squad is not only full of world-class players of fast bowling rather than spin, but also, with the retirement of some of the elders in the dressing room, a severe lack of experience of playing Test cricket in India.
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The odds for the first Test mirror the predicted struggles that England will face as Cook’s side can be backed as big as 4/1 with Bet365 to start the Tour with a victory.
After being knocked off their world no.1 perch by South Africa, England have won just one of their last four test match series.
All the money has been for a home win, with India, shortening all the time around the 6/5 mark with Ladbrokes. India haven’t lost a home Test series since Australia won in 2004/05.
The draw, which will be seen as a good result for the tourists, is available 6/5 with Paddy Power
Cook and Head Coach Andy Flower have had some tough decisions to make ahead of the game in terms of team selection. This is a new era for English cricket, and there seems to a feeling that some of the newer faces in the squad will be given a chance to shine.
Nick Compton has been confirmed to make his Test-debut alongside Cook at the top of the order, whilst injury to England paceman Steven Finn means either Yorkshire all-rounder Tim Bresnan or Stuart Meaker will join James Anderson and Stuart Broad as the leaders for the pace attack.
All those make no appeal however when assessing the top England bowler market for the match.
Spin will be the order of the day in Ahmedabad, and it’s surprising that Graeme Swann, England’s number one man with the ball for this Tour, can be backed at as big as 2/1 with Bet365 to take the most wickets for the visitors.
Batting-wise, all the focus has been on the return of Kevin Pieterson to the England fold. He spent the summer falling out with everyone in the England squad over contract wrangles, text messages and other misdemeanours, but has been given a reprieve by Flower and Cook.
They will need their star-man to bring his A-game to the table for the next two months, if they have any chance of scoring enough runs to trouble India. Pieterson warmed up for the first Test with a confident century against Haryana last week, and he has been popular with punters to notch plenty of runs this week.
He is joint favourite of three, along with Jonathan Trott and Cook, to be England’s top scorer in Ahmedabad, at 100/30 with Bet365 and knowing the way Pieterson works that could be the bet to be on. He thrives on controversy, and plays his best cricket when the spotlight is on.
The 14/1 on him to win the Man of the Match with Bet365 also is best watched.
Most of the runs and flashy batting will probably come from the hosts though.
Virat Kohli leads the market for India’s top run scorer at 100/30 with Paddy Power, while Sachin Tendulker, even at the age of 39, is still going strong, and he normally brings his best when India play at home.
He can be backed at 4/1 with Bet365.
