Couch Critic previews the first T20 International between India and England on Friday 12th March including series long and opening match best bets from @Olimp_SA
INDIA vs ENGLAND 1st T20I Ahmedabad Friday 12 March @ 15:30
The venue stays the same but the format differs greatly as the T20 matches kick off after the Indians steam rolled the Poms by way of spin in the last two tests.
The Inside Scoop
In terms of squad news the hosts are likely to rely on their test heroes, Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel to play a big role in their quest to translate red-ball success into short format triumph. In the times after the likes of Yuvraj, Dhoni and Raina it is up to Pant (along with Hardik Pandya) to provide lower order impetus. Patel caught the eye with IPL performances but got his foot in the international door via the injury to Jadeja and then leap-frogged past Kuldeep Yadav in the pecking order. After the last two tests his shares have shot up faster than a Warren Buffer hot tip. With Bumrah sitting out the quicker stuff will come from Saini, Natarajan, Thakur, Chahar and Buvi. Given what we’ve seen from Ahmedabad the quicks will really have to fight it out for only a couple of slots on this turner.
England have called in their now-regular T20 Bomb Squad to try and change their fortunes. In the land of spin Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali will be heavily relied upon with the ball. Jason Roy, Dawid Malan, Sam Billings and Eoin Morgan are tasked with bringing their normal aggression with the willow in white ball cricket.
How I see it playing out
There will be plenty of good vibes running through the Indian camp at present whilst the English cavalry might take a game or two to find their sea (Sub-Continent) legs. I think the hosts will start the stronger of the two teams.
Betolimp Best Bets
To win the Match – India @ 1.66
Man of the Match – Axar Patel @ 17.00
Patel is the flavour of the month at present. The lefty even managed to upstage Ashwin in bamboozling the Poms and picking up 20 wickets across the two tests held at this same venue. With bat in hand he could also contribute a few runs.
Top England Bowler – Adil Rashid @ 4.00
The leggy will have to hit the ground running as he will be key for the English in these conditions.
Player to score the Most Sixes – Rishabh Pant @ 6.50
There is none more dynamic than Pant across both squads at present.
Series Plays:
Top England Series Bowler – Moeen Ali @ 6.50
Rashid is the more likely but given the value in price I have to opt for Ali who picked up eight wickets in the second test and should play a big role for the visitors.
Top India Series Bowler – Axar Patel @ 5.50
Again, the leggy, Chahal should be the favourite but Patel has plenty of current form in this favour. I’ll back the man on the hot streak!
Top India Series Batsman – Rishabh Pant @ 13.00
Yes he will come in below solid performers to the tune of Kohli, Rahul and Rohit/Dhawan but given his current form I just can’t look past the big price on offer here and hope the hosts give him a bit more time at the crease to bring on the pain for Eoin Morgan and his touring side.
Top England Series Batsman – Ben Stokes @ 10.00
Another big price nibble here. Stokes looked to get some form back with the stick in the final test. Unlike some of the other batsmen he is acclimatised to conditions and in South African he strode to the wicket ahead of Morgan in the T20’s.
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change
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