Australia v India @ MCG

The second Test between India and Australia begins on Boxing Day.

The build up to the first test was immense and whilst it was an exciting game the psychological damage inflicted on India by the Australian’s may have turned this into another one sided Australian summer.

I suggested a bet on India at $2.70 and that appeared to be going well when Australia were all out 191 in reply to India’s first innings total of 244.
What followed was extraordinary. The Indian’s were bowled out for 36 in their second innings. The Australian bowlers, in particular Cummings and Hazlewood must be given credit for two terrific spells of bowling but the Indian batting performance was abysmal.

All the talk leading into the first test was surrounding Australia’s team. Now it shifts to the Indian’s and what they can do to avoid going two nil down in the series.

Virat Kohli is on the plane home which only adds to the batting issues. He made 78 of India’s 280 runs in the first test. Opening bowler Mohamd Shami is also out for the rest of the series with a broken arm. India will need to find a replacement for him. Then there is opening batsman Prithvi Shaw & wicket keeper Wriddhiman Saha. Both failed to impact with the bat and are surely under big pressure to keep their positions in the Indian line up.

The Aussie’s on the other hand look likely to go in with the same team that brought them success in Adelaide.

It is impossible to recommend a bet on India and given Australia are so short in the head to head market I am looking to back Australia to make over 400 runs in the first innings.

The Australian’s made over 400 in all three 1st innings against New Zealand last summer and the Kiwi’s bowling is as good if not better than India’s.

The MCG wicket in recent times has been on the flatter side and I think there will be some Australian batsman licking their lips to pile on some big runs against a weakened India.

Suggested Betting Strategy

Australia v India – 1.5 Units | Australia to make over 400 runs in the first innings @ $1.83 (Sportsbet)

*Please note the maximum outlay on a single outcome is 2.5 units