India continue their hectic schedule of cricket this week when they begin a three match Test series against Sri Lanka. With plenty of cricket in the bank and a tour of South Africa on the horizon it remains to be seen what is left in the tank for the Indians. Sri Lanka themselves have been quite active in recent times so they will be tested physically and mentally too.
Schedule
1st Test: Nov 16-20 at Kolkata
2nd Test: Nov 24-28 at Nagpur
3rd Test: Dec 2-6 at Delhi
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India
The Indians have been playing plenty of limited overs cricket in recent times but now they turn their hands back to the longer format where they will be looking to enhance their position at the top of the ICC rankings. A series win will be the primary aim here but if they can get combinations working ahead of the Sri Lanka trip that would be ideal.
India have now won their last eight Test series which is a really wonderful achievement. Their detractors may suggest that most of those series have been at home but even so to be so consistent over a long period of time is not easy. They have the bowling attack for any conditions now which is important and key to their success.
Sri Lanka
Things have not been going well over the last year or two for Sri Lanka but they did have a bright spot recently when they went to the UAE and turned a decent Pakistan side over 2-0. They held their nerve in both matches in that series and they will have to do that here too if they are to be successful. They have little to lose though which is a positive.
Despite their struggles in recent times, Sri Lanka have now lost just one of their last four Test series but that was against India. If they can take the confidence of the win over Pakistan with them into this series they might get something but as ever the key will be whether they have the strength of bowling attack to take 20 wickets.
Head to Head
After their series in Sri Lanka earlier in the year, these two have now played 15 series against each other. India now have eight wins to Sri Lanka’s three with four draws. In India the Indians are much more dominant. In fact Sri Lanka land in the country still looking for their first Test win which highlights the size of their task here.
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Betting
India won 3-0 in Sri Lanka earlier in the year and that is exactly the score I expect them to win this series by too. I just don’t believe Sri Lanka have the bowlers to take 20 wickets against this Indian outfit. No matter what the conditions India have the bowling attack to go well on them and some of these Sri Lanka batsmen are struggling for form. Weather aside I expect India to dominate the series.
I will take one player bet too and that comes in the form of Cheteshwar Pujara to be the top India series batsman. Virat Kohli is the obvious favourite but he has been speaking about needing a rest and if India go 2-0 up in this series I would be amazed if their captain plays the last game. With plenty of cricket to come I expect India to manage their squad through this series but Pujara won’t need managing as he only plays the Test format so given that he should play all three games he looks the batsman to be with.
Tips
Back India to win 3-0 for a 3/10 stake at 3.75 with Bet365
Back C.Pujara Top India Series Batsman for a 2/10 stake at 4.00 with Bet365
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