India v England 2nd Test tips: Rashid, Stokes real shouts with bat and ball for tourists

Following his first Test exploits, Rashid should simply be shorter than 9/4 to do most damage bowling at India again in their first innings.

Coral’s top tip: Take Adil Rashid odds of 9/4 to be top England bowler as the Bradford-born spinner seeks even more Subcontinent success.

Ben Stokes to be best touring batsman

All-rounder Stokes has top scored for England in two of their last three Tests, so looks real value as a 6/1 shot to be top dog with the bat again.

His no-nonsense approach at the crease saw Stokes hit 15 boundaries (13 fours and a couple of sixes) en route to a century (128) in the tourists’ first innings against India. This followed up an 85 when battling Bangladesh in Chittagong.

England skipper Alastair Cook, Joe Root (both 11/4) and Test cricket newcomers Ben Duckett and Haseeb Hameed (11/2 apiece) are shorter than Stokes in this market, but batting at six really works for him.

England to hold a first innings lead

Another appealing punt involving touring England is for them to again hold a first innings lead. Indian pitches have already proven to be no obstacle to a long batting line-up and, if winning the toss and batting or being put in by their hosts, they should feel confident.

Centuries from Root, Moeen Ali and Stokes are easily repeatable, plus there’s the second innings improvement from young opener Hameed to consider too.

A sweet 6/4 price says England can establish a first innings lead again, and the plethora of spin bowling options led by Adil Rashid odds are ready to take advantage of any turn the pitch offers them.

Jadeja best value in top India bowler betting

While the hosts’ attack hasn’t always been much to write home about, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja did plenty of damage to New Zealand in India’s previous Test series.

Spin bowling is the predictable and profitable punt to side with here, but the right-arm off-break style of Ashwin is a little short at 6/4 to come good again here.

Although Ashwin boasts a staggering 30 wickets in his last eight Test innings for India, he was expensive when it came to giving away runs to England. First innings figures last time out of 1-167 are a concern.

Slow left-armer Jadeja at 5/2 is much better value after taking 3-86 against Bayliss’ boys. He also has 16 victims in his last seven innings, so back him to best when first spinning the ball at England again.

Pujara to perform with the bat for India again

Cheteshwar Pujara, batting at number three for India, now boasts a Test average of a shade under 50. That is hugely impressive and better than skipper Virat Kohli.

With five half centuries or better in his last four Tests, there can be little doubt he is a man in fine form. In fact, Pujara registered tons against both New Zealand and England last time out.

Punters should have no hesitation, then, in snapping up odds of 3/1 for Pujara to be best at the crease for India again.

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