Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow, England feature in the England v India betting tips
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England v India betting tips: India have poor Test record at The Oval

| 31.08.2021
SPORTSBOOK ODDS

Preview and odds for Thursday’s fourth Test

The five-Test series is all square at 1-1 and the fourth Test gets under way at The Oval on Thursday so we have examined the odds for some England v India betting tips.

After the first Test was a washout and abandoned as a draw, India secured victory by 151 runs in the second Test at Lord’s before England hit back with an innings and 76-run triumph at Headingley.

The series continues at The Oval on Thursday in a clash which is live on Sky Sports from 10.30am BST.

England back on track

England are 6/5 favourites to win the penultimate Test at The Oval, a venue where India have rarely fared well.

The tourists have won just one of the last 13 Tests at Surrey’s home ground – that four-wicket success coming in August 1971.

Indeed, India have lost the last three tours in England in 2011, 2014, and 2018. They have never won a Test series of four or more matches in England.

What a difference one Test can make.

On the back foot following a crushing defeat at Lord’s, Joe Root’s side were magnificent in every phase at Headingley, cruising to victory after bowling out India for 78 on the first day.

The quick turnaround for the fourth Test may be a blessing for India, whose batting also crumbled on the fourth day, losing eight wickets for 63 runs.

Virat Kohli’s side will be keen to put matters right and India are 6/4 to win the match in the England v India betting tips.

While England have won the last three Test meetings with India at The Oval, there have been seven drawn Tests between the two sides in the last 13 matches at the venue since 1936 and the draw is on offer at 7/2.

Virat Kohli, India, features in the England v India betting tips

Kohli to flower

India’s long tail was exposed at Headingley and captain Kohli was criticised for failing to deliver with the bat again.

He has scored 124 runs in just five innings at an average of 24.80. His highest score in the series was 55 in the second innings at Leeds.

Opener Rohit Sharma top-scored in the first innings with 19 and Cheteshwar Pujara made a solid 91 to take the honours in the second innings.

But while Kohli has been struggling – it is 51 innings since he made a three-figure score – he appeared to make the necessary adjustments to pick up the line of James Anderson and Ollie Robinson in the second innings and could be on the cusp of making a good knock.

He is 5/2 to be the India top run scorer in the first innings.

India could also make changes.

They have so far played five bowlers – four fast seamers and one spinner – but with The Oval offering more potential for spin, Ravichandran Ashwin could return and he is 4/1 to be India’s top wicket taker in the first innings.

Bairstow to don gloves

Jonny Bairstow will keep wicket for England as Jos Buttler misses the match to take paternity leave.

While in-form Root is 6/4 favourite to be England’s top first-innings scorer after a scintillating summer, Bairstow is a specialist batsman who commands respect and is 4/1 to be the top scorer in the England v India betting tips.

Chris Woakes is also in line to play after a frustrating 12-month absence and could replace Sam Curran, who has claimed just three wickets at 79 runs apiece.

Fast bowler Mark Wood, who took five wickets at Lord’s, has recovered from a shoulder injury and is 3/1 to be the top first innings wicket-taker, with Anderson the 9/4 market leader.

View the latest England v India odds

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication

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Author

Simon Milham