India v England Betting Preview

Recommended bet:

Top India Batsman (1st innings) – Virat Kohli @ 15/8 (2.88) with Pointsbet

It should make for a fascinating match at the Ageas Bowl, with England having the benefit of still being ahead in the series, but there having been a definite shift in momentum towards India now.

England have recalled 27 year-old batsman James Vince, who will provide cover for Jonny Bairstow, who broke a finger in the defeat at Trent Bridge.  However, even if wicketkeeper Bairstow is passed fit, he will play as a specialist batsman, with Jos Buttler likely to keep wicket instead, although Ollie Pope is another option to wear the gloves.

Given their success in Nottingham, it would appear unlikely that India will make any changes to their line-up at Southampton.  Murali Vijay and Kuldeep Yadav have both been dropped from the Indian squad for the 4th and 5th Tests, with the uncapped duo of Prithvi Shaw and Hanuma Vihari having been brought in as their replacements

As ever in Test cricket, winning the toss could be crucial, with conditions likely to favour the bowlers early on, particularly given that neither batting line-up has been particularly impressive in the series to date.

The one significant exception to the general batting malaise in both teams has been Virat Kohli.  The Indian skipper has amassed 440 runs at an average of 73.33 in his six innings to date.  That’s more than twice as many as the next best, with Bairstow having contributed 206 runs in five innings for England.

On that basis and taking into account the fact that Kohli is head and shoulders above the rest of the Indian squad (and most other batsmen on the planet) in terms of his ability, he looks a solid cricket bet at 15/8 (2.88) to be Top India Batsman (1st  innings) with PointsBet

In terms of the match odds, then England are Evens (2.00) also with TopBetta, India are 9/5 (2.80) with Betstar and the draw is 9/2 (5.50) with bet365*

* Odds correct at the time of writing