Australia v India 1st Test – 17/12/2020

Australia v India 1st Test Preview – Betting Tips, Latest Odds, Predictions – 17/12/2020

India begin their much-anticipated Test series against Australia with this clash in Adelaide.

Both sides will be looking to get off to a good start with more World Test Championship points on the line

Discover our free cricket betting tips for this match.

Australia v India 1st Test – Match Preview

India will hope for a repeat of the last Test series Down Under when they came out 2-1 winners in 2018-19.

However, that was against an Australian side without Steve Smith or David Warner and the hosts look a much stronger unit this time around.

Where: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

When: Thursday, 17 December 2020

Start time: 09:30 IST (04:00 GMT)

Pitch conditions: While the pitch at the Oval has been kind to spinners later in the game over the years, it is known as being one of the most batting-friendly surfaces.

Weather conditions: We are set for a dry but overcast day in Adelaide for the first day. The weather becomes brighter and warmer as we head towards the weekend.

Australia v India 1st Test – Latest Odds

Australia are made the favourites for this opening Test match of the series. They can be backed at 1.75 with bet365

India are priced at 2.9 with the same betting site. The draw is at 7.0.

Australia v India 1st Test – Team News

Virat Kohli will only play in this Test before he heads home to be with his pregnant wife.

Rohit Sharma has travelled to Australia after overcoming injury but won’t be available until the last two matches.

It will be interesting who India choose to play at the top of the order, with Prithvi Shaw and Shubman Gill battling it out. KL Rahul is another option after coming back into the Test frame, but he could be used lower down.

Steve Smith missed recent net sessions with a back issue and will have to be assessed ahead of this one.

Australia are already without the injured David Warner but Pat Cummins returns after being rested for the white-ball series.

The home side also need to decide on their opening partnership. It had looked a fight between Will Pucovski and Joe Burns but Warner’s injury could change things.

Australia v India – Squads

Australia v India 1st Test – Betting Tips and Predictions

India look up against it this series compared to the last but have it in them to cause the Aussies plenty of problems.

As ever, there are lots of different markets to look at when hunting for a good bet to make on this match.

Labuschagne to Shine in Adelaide

Marnus Labuschagne hasn’t looked back since getting an opportunity in the Australia Test side and has continued to score runs on home soil.

It is his last performance in a Test in Adelaide that catches the eye ahead of this one. David Warner took the headlines with 335 in the second Test against Pakistan, but Labuschagne got 162 of his own.

Backing him to be Australia’s top first innings batsman looks a good bet. He can be backed at 4.32 with 22Bet.

Back Pujara for Top Batsman

Cheteshwar Pujara loved playing in Australian conditions the last time he was here.

He smashed three tons and can add to that now. Given his previous form in Australia, he looks a good bet to be India’s top first innings batsman.

Virat Kohli heads up the betting is his only Test of the series but he also has to keep his mind on the captaincy. It could be worth siding with Pujara at a better price.

He can be backed at 4.33 with bet365 to be his team’s top series batsman.

Starc and Bumrah at the Double

While spin will come into play towards the back end of the innings, it will be the quicks that will have their say early on.

Bumrah has been in good form for India in the preceding white-ball series and can suit the Adelaide track for this Test match.

Meanwhile, Starc took seven wickets the last time he played Test cricket here.

Backing both men to be their team’s first innings top wicket-taker is a longshot but one that could come off. This can be backed at 13.0 with 22Bet.

Check out our round-up of the best and free match betting tips before this one gets underway.