IND vs ENG 1st Test Prediction & Betting Tips
England were excellent in their previous series against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka but India will pose a different challenge altogether. They'll be high on confidence after their emphatic series victory in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and will look to seal the spot in the final of the World Test Championship.
India are definite favourites here but England have been in some very good form of late. Read our preview as we analyse the 1st Test between India and England at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The match gets underway on 5th February at 9:30 AM local time.
It's a very important series in the context of the WTC. India's win in Australia meant that they'll need to win the series by 2-0, 3-0, 3-1 or 4-0 to qualify. This shouldn't be much of a task as India has been very dominant at home. They're playing a full strength squad so they're not short on quality.
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill make up a strong opening pair. Both had a decent run with the bat in Australia. Following them will be Cheteshwar Pujara who'll be a hard not to crack for Root and co. Virat Kohli will return to the team after missing the final three Tests vs Australia. Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya will form a solid middle order.
If Hardik is not fit to bowl, India may opt for Axar Patel. Also Jadeja won't be available so Kuldeep Yadav may get a game. Ravichandran Ashwin will be India's main man with the ball in Chennai. He was in scintillating form in Australia and will be a massive weapon for India on these wickets.
The pace duties will be shared by the duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma. Mohammed Siraj can also be an option.
For England, they were thrashed 4-0 by India on their last visit here and will have a massive task on their hands. They need a 3-0 or 4-0 win to qualify for the WTC finals at Lords.
England will rely their hopes on Joe Root who was in top form against Sri Lanka. They've brought back players like Rory Burns, Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer which will add to their strength.
Burns, Sibley, Root, Lawrence, Stokes, Buttler, Ali form a decent batting order. However, if India can get Root cheaply, this line up can crumble under pressure.
Jofra Archer and Stuart Broad will be their preferred pacers while Dom Bess, Moeen Ali and Jack Leach will share the responsibility of the spinners.
Overall, England do have the quality team but in these conditions, on turning wickets, we think they'll struggle.
IND vs ENG Live streaming
Live TV: India Vs England series can be watched live on the Star Sports Network.
Live streaming: The live streaming of the series will be available on Disney Hotstar
IND vs ENG Toss Prediction
Toss is always very important in India. No team would want to bat fourth here. Team that wins the toss will bat.
Weather Report
The weather will be pleasant throughout the match.
Pitch Condition
The pitch will be flat for the first two days and will start deteriorating from Day 3. Day 4 and 5 will be difficult to bat.
Read on for team previews, betting tips, latest odds and match prediction for India vs England First Test
India Team News & Playing 11
IND Team News
Players like Virat Kohli, Ishant Sharma, Hardik Pandya return to the Indian team after missing the Australian tour. Also Jasprit Bumrah and Ravi Ashwin, who missed the last Test against Australia will be available for selection.
IND Key Players
- Rohit Sharma - Rohit Sharma played two matches in Australia and looked really solid. He's ability to score quickly makes him a massive asset for India. He's a fantastic record in India and will look to play few big innings in the series.
- Virat Kohli - There is not much to say about the class of Kohli. Often termed as a run machine, Kohli has been in fine form of late. He was India's highest scorer when England toued India in 2016-17. He'll once again be the biggest wicket for Root and co.
- Ravi Ashwin - Ashwin was terrific against Australia. On these wickets, he'll be even more dangerous. He's most likely to be the highest wicket taker of the series.
IND Team Form
India will be high on confidence after a magnificent 2-1 win over Australia in Australia.
India Predicted Playing 11
Rohit Sharma, Shubhman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(C), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant(WK), Hardik Pandya/Axar Patel, Ravi Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma/Mohammed Siraj
England Team News & Playing 11
ENG Team News
Ben Stokes, Rory Burns and Jofra Archer are back in the England squad after missing the Sri Lanka series. Olly Pope is also fit and will be available for selection. Sam Curran, Jonny Barstow and Mark Wood have been rested for the first two Tests.
ENG Key Players
- Joe Root - He'll be the biggest hope of England in this series. He's fresh from terrific series against Sri Lanka where he scored a double hundred and a hundred in the two matches. He will look to carry on his form against India as well.
- Ben Stokes - Everything Stoked have touched in the last two years have turned into gold. He's in great form and will be very important for England.
- Jofra Archer - Wickets with the new ball is the key to success in India and Archer being the lead pacer for England will look to give England some early breakthroughs.
ENG Team Form
England thrashed Sri Lanka 2-0 in their last series.
England Predicted Playing 11
Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Joe Root(C) Daniel Lawrence, Olly Pope/Moeen Ali, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler(WK), Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad, Dom Bess, Jack Leach
India vs England Head to Head
England have a great record against India in Tests.
IND vs ENG Head to Head Stats in Tests
| Matches Played |
IND Won |
ENG Won |
Tie |
Draw |
| 122 |
26 |
47 |
0 |
49 |
🏆 India vs England Prediction
India at home is a brutal force. A quality batting backed by top class bowling unit gives India a big advantage. England on the other hand are too dependent on Root in their batting. If he gets out cheaply, they'll be under pressure.
Feb 05 - Feb 09, 2021
09:30 IST / 4:00 GMT
MA Chidambaram Stadium - Chennai, India
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