India survived a few early wobbles but eventually eased so victory on the back of a solid performance from Rahane and Bumrah being at his devastating best. Let’s shift our focus to the second and final test match in Jamaica on Friday 30th August to try and spot some betting value.

WEST INDIES vs INDIA -2nd Test @ Kingston, Jamaica

SETTING THE SCENE

We head into the second test of the series off the back of the Windies having their visitors in a spot of bother with their quick men early doors in the first innings (India were 25/3) yet in the end it was the India seamers who left the home side’s batting line-up with the blushes, bowling them out for a very meek 100 on the dot in the fourth innings.

I noted going into the first test and it remains extremely valid – this Windies bowling line-up is capable of knocking teams over but until the batsmen in maroon come to the party they will continue to lose a whole lot more than they win.

Past results have shown that the Sabina Park wicket isn’t nearly as “racy” as the track found at Antigua. The most recent test there saw the Islanders host Bangladesh and the visiting office, Miraz, claimed a five-for in the first innings whilst Shakib picked up six in the second. For the hosts the steady line-and-length of Jason Holder proved more effective than the outright pace of Gabriel or Paul.

HOW I SEE IT PLAYING OUT

The more one looks at this the more you realise that the Windies blew their best shot of upsetting their more illustrious visitors in the first test. They were offered a spicy wicket and Indian top 3 taking a shower within the first hour. Yet somehow things went wrong for the home side and now they are tasked with the seemingly near impossible task of having to win the second test to escape with a drawn series on a Kingston track that will surely be more to the liking of the Indians than the first one.

With the bat India’s best performer form the first test was Rahane. The top 3 in particular will feel that they need to come to the party the second time of asking. King Kohli will surely also not be satisfied with a mere 50 in the series. There is the possibility that India only bat once but I still feel there is value in the Indian skipper getting that customary ton.

For the Windies there were a few starts from Hetmeyer, Hope, Holder and Chase but no one was able to notch up a half century for their team. If each West Indian batter equally likely to just about scrape a decent score it’s worth looking a touch lower down the order for a bigger value option form a betting perspective.

Ball in hand the hosts had Roach firing on all cylinders in the first innings whilst Chase plugged away manfully in the second. For the visitors Bumrah and Sharma proved too hot to handle. Given that the pitch in Jamaica is likely to offer something for the spinner I will opt for the returning Jadeja to have some success with the ball and if he manages a few runs as well then he might be a worthy runner in the Man of the Match market.

Best Bets with BETOLIMP:

Batsman to score a Hundred in the Match: V Kohli – YES @ 3.90

Top Windies 1st Inns Batsman– R Chase @ 8.00

Top India 1st Inns Batsman – K Rahul @ 7.40

Man of the Match – R Jadeja @ 15.00

Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change

Couch Critic