THE EDGE: The Edge previews the 3rd Test between INDIA v ENGLAND with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
India v England 3rd Test
MATCH OVERVIEW:
India and England move to Rajkot for the 3rd Test on Betdaq Betting Exchange. This series has been absolutely enthralling so far, and we’re locked at 1-1 after England recorded a very unlikely and brilliant win in the 1st Test. As expected, India came roaring back in the 2nd Test but from an England point of view they didn’t fare too badly. Let’s not forget that India were expected to easily win this series but England have done better than expected so far. We’re back at what will likely be a spinning venue here though, and the big question is can England handle the conditions again.
The big new leading into this Test is Virat Kohli is set to miss this Test and the 4th Test. Obviously he has a lot going on off the field, and him playing in the 5th Test has to be a big doubt too. The good news for India is that KL Rahul and Jadeja are back from injury. I really felt England had a massive chance to go 2-0 up with those two out of the 2nd Test. India batted first however and put England under pressure from there; I have to say regardless of how much the wicket spins it feels like batting first is going to be a big edge in this series. I know England came back from a huge first innings deficit but they made full use of the wicket turning square in the final innings to bowl India out.
You have to remember too that when India lost the 1st Test, it was only their fourth loss since the start of 2013 – that’s four losses in over ten years which shows how difficult it is to beat India in their own backyard. Bazball seems to have the best chance of a series win from any side in the world, but the task is still massive. Another fascinating Test awaits.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
Rajkot is a relatively new Test venue in India. They only had their first Test here in 2016, and it hasn’t actually been used that much either. They hosted another Test here in 2018 and have had nothing since; obviously we did have the Covid19 outbreak etc. England played the Test here in 2016 for a draw – they batted first and superbly well too but India held out for a draw. In 2018, India beat West Indies by an innings and 272 runs. Scoring is pretty high here in one day cricket, but you’d have to expect that India have asked for a spinning wicket here. I would expect batting first to provide a big edge; every ODI side has won here batting first for what that is worth.
RECOMMENDED BET:
The three markets have been quite similar. India are the odds on favourites, they are 1.52 here and have been within a few ticks of that price in every Test. In the first two Tests, I was happy to write off the draw – I feel this Test isn’t quite the same because we might see a big score from the side who bats first. That could easily bring the draw in from its current 9.8. I wouldn’t recommend backing it because I do feel India will ask for a spinning wicket, however it could easily trade shorter here. I strongly feel that batting first will be the difference here, and I would recommend backing whoever bats first after the toss – whether that’s India at around 1.5 or England at around 4.0.
The Edge Says:
Three points win The Side Who Bats First at around the prices above with Betdaq Exchange
View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/3IndEng
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
As I mentioned above, I wouldn’t take on the draw here at high odds – especially early in the Test. I would expect a reasonably good batting surface first innings and then things to get worse from there. However, it’s well known that India want their home wickets to spin so don’t be surprised to see spin on day 1! Either way, I feel it will be a big edge batting first – if the wicket is decent then you have the chance to really put the other side under pressure and if it’s really turning then you get best use of it. There’s nothing negative with either side, and I actually feel that there isn’t much between the sides based on what we’ve seen – I do feel that batting first might decide the game here.
