Australia v India cricket tips & best odds | Second Test preview

Australia vs India best bets

Australia vs India match preview – Second Test

Australia will be looking to get their summer of cricket back on track when they host India under lights in the second Test at Adelaide Oval, starting this Friday.

It was a dominant display from the Indians in the first Test as they beat the Aussies by 295 runs. Taking just a 46-run lead into the second innings, a pair of hundreds from Yashavi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli lifted the visitors to an unbeatable position. Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah was named player of the match after taking eight wickets across the two innings.

Nevertheless, Australia head to Adelaide as $1.83 favourites at Bet365, with India at $2.30 and the draw paying long odds of $12. A lot of that has to do with recent form at the venue.

Australia have lost just once at Adelaide in the past decade, including seven wins from as many day-night Test matches there. Meanwhile, India were well beaten in their last Test in South Australia, losing by eight wickets after making just 36 in their second innings.

Australia vs India team news – Second Test

Plenty of questions have now been asked about the quality of the Australian batting lineup after their poor performance in Perth, with the likes of Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith falling under plenty of scrutiny.

One confirmed change is in the bowling attack, as Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out with a side strain. Scott Boland is expected to replace him.

All-rounder Mitch Marsh is also in doubt after pulling up sore from the first Test, leaving Tasmanian Beau Webster a chance to make his debut.

India are also expected to make a pair of changes, with captain Rohit Sharma set to return alongside top-order batter Shubman Gill. Duvdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel are tipped to make way, while Rohit may shift down the order to keep intact the opening partnership of Jaiswal and KL Rahul.

Washington Sundar was largely ineffective as the lone spinner in the first Test, so the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin may be considered for Adelaide.

Australia vs India predictions – Second Test

After their strong performance in the first Test, it seems as though India are getting even stronger at selection. Australia’s batting is fragile right now, while they are losing one of their opening bowlers. As underdogs, India offer excellent value for the win at $2.30 with leading cricket bookmakers.

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has a tremendous record in pink-ball matches, with 66 wickets from 12 Tests at an average of just 18. He bowled well in the first innings in Perth, and with Hazlewood out of the side, Starc has even greater responsibility in this Test. At $3.60 with top Australian bookies, back Starc to be Australia’s leading first-innings wicket-taker.

Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah was unplayable at times in Perth, taking 5/30 in the first innings and eight across the match. His overall record against Australia is exceptional, with 40 wickets in eight matches at an average of 18.8. With no changes to the Aussie batting lineup expected, Bumrah is an obvious choice to take the most first-innings wickets for India at $2.95 with Neds.

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