Australia v India cricket tips & odds | First Test preview

Australia vs India best bets

Australia vs India match preview

The highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy kicks off the Australian Test summer this Friday at Perth Stadium, and top cricket bookmakers have the hosts as short-priced favourite to beat India first-up.

The Aussies are paying just $1.40 to salute in the series opener, with the tourists at long odds of $3.60 to shake off their recent woes and spring the upset. Every previous Test at this venue has ended in a decisive result, so it is no surprise to see the draw at $15 odds.

Heading into Australia’s first Test match since March, there have been plenty of questions around selection, but in the end the team remains largely the same as last summer.

The one major change is South Australian product Nathan McSweeney, who is expected to earn his debut at the top of the order alongside veteran Usman Khawaja. Marnus Labuschagne remains at three, Steve Smith moves back down to four, with Travis Head at five.

With Cameron Green ruled out for the summer with a back injury, Australia will rely on Mitch Marsh as the sole pace-bowling all-rounder at six, while wicketkeeper Alex Carey holds his spot at seven.

Captain Pat Cummins leads an experienced bowling lineup alongside New South Wales teammates Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon.

Recommended!

The Better Bettors!

Australian-owned and operated bookmaker!

Join MarantelliBet

18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE?

Fast Payouts

50% matched deposit up to USD $5,000

Visit BetOnline

Unlike the Australians, the Indian lineup is far from settled after their historic 3-0 series defeat to New Zealand at home in October.

Captain Rohit Sharma is unavailable due to the birth of his child, leaving vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah as the stand-in option.

Yashavi Jaiswal will open the batting after some strong recent form, likely alongside the experienced KL Rahul. At three, Devdutt Padikkal looks set to replace the injured Shubman Gill.

Virat Kohli will bat at four, while wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant will be at five. Dhruv Jurel is expected to come in at six, despite missing the most recent series against New Zealand.

With Indian bowling coach Morne Morkel hinting that Nitish Kumar Reddy could be set for a Test debut, it appears there will only be room for one of Ravichandran Ashwin or Ravindra Jadeja. With Ashwin pulled off press duties on Wednesday, he looks set to get the nod.

Mohammed Siraj will partner Bumrah with the new ball, while Akash Deep is set to be the third seamer. If Reddy plays, as expected, young quick Harshit Rana will have to wait his turn.

Australia vs India predictions

Perth Stadium has been a fortress for Australia, who have not lost at the venue since it opened in 2018. With its favourable conditions for pace bowlers, the experienced Aussie attack should cause plenty of problems for an Indian batting lineup missing some star power. Back the home side to start the summer with a win at $1.40 with Bet365.

One of the form players in world cricket right now, Australia’s Travis Head looks set to play a key role once again. He averages 60 across his last four Test against India, including 163 in the World Test Championship Final. With the likes of Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith struggling recently, Head offers great value to top score for Australia in the first innings at $5.60 with top sports betting sites.

For India, wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant has been one of few players in good form. In the recent series against New Zealand, Pant scored 70 more runs than any other Indian, including a 99 in the first Test. He also excels in Australia, averaging more here than in any other country, so back Pant to finish as India’s first-innings top scorer at $5.80 with Neds.

Sports betting tips