England v India tips: Root out to stop sensational Kohli
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England and India’s first of five Tests this summer gets underway at Edgbaston on Wednesday.
It should be a sensational summer clash. India are the best Test side on the planet right now, but England are on home soil.
And our traders make Joe Root’s side favourite to land the opener at Evens. There’s 2/1 about India going 1-0 up, with a draw 10/3.
Containing Kohli is key
Four years ago England prevailed 3-1 in a five Test series. But India are massively improved since then, as is their star man and captain Virat Kohli.
The 29-year-old was bamboozled time and time again in 2014, but he is arguably the best batsman in the world right now and has overhauled India’s Test fortunes.
Kohli has been in sensational form, and is 9/4 to top score for side in the first innings. There’s a boosted 4/1 for him to grab a first innings century, while a 16/1 #GetaPrice special says Kohli hits a double century.
Home hopes
James Anderson took Kohli out four times during that 2014 Tour, but the Lancashire legend is 36-years-old now while the Indian skipper has vastly upped his game.
Nevertheless, Anderson remains a threat and is 9/4 favourite to be England’s top wicket-taker in the opening innings.
Adil Rashid will be hoping to ease the burden on Anderson. The 30-year-old’s inclusion in the squad has drawn plenty of controversy, as he hasn’t played Test cricket since 2016.
But he’s been taking wickets for fun in the shorter formats. He’s 7/2 to silence the doubters and claim the most wickets for England.
It isn’t just Kohli who is dangerous with the bat, however. Root, Alistair Cook, Ben Stokes and Stuart Broad know a thing or two about Test runscoring.
Click here for all our England v India odds.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
