proteastest 150Couch Critic provides his betting tips for the first test match between India and South Africa which gets underway in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday 2nd October

 

 

 

 

INDIA vs SOUTH AFRICA, 1st Test Visakhapatnam– Wednesday, 02 October

 

SETTING THE SCENE

 

The Proteas pitch up in India off the back of a humiliating exit from the World Cup. Unfortunately for this Next Gen South African playing group and coaching outfit they are tasked with the unenviable task of not only playing against the very best test team in the world but having to do so in their own back yard. The Proteas know exactly what awaits them in this series – dusty, slow turners. Just because the South Africans know what to expect though, doesn’t make the job at hand any easier.

Significant squad news sees Bumrah a late withdrawal for India but the rest is much of the same for the home side. Jadeja, Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav are the spin wizards at their disposal. South Africa go in with an untested team as the middle order will consist of batsmen like De Bruyn, Bavuma and possibly Hamza who are all new to sub-continent conditions. Maharaj is joined by Piedt and Muthusamy as the new additional spin options for SA.

 

HOW I SEE IT PLAYING OUT

 

De Kock took the reigns in the T20’s and really looked the part. He is also one of the few players in the SA batting line-up with plenty of experience of playing cricket in India. I’ll throw some money at him to top score in the first innings.

I can’t look past Kohli looking to start this series by stamping hi authority on the game.

Ravindra Jadeja has been in superb form with the ball and he also has the opportunity to back it up with a few runs with the bat.

A last play for me is on Kuldeep Yadav in the series as a whole. I see India going for the three-spin option against the Saffas and for mind Yadav is the most dangerous of the lot. I expect him to pick up a bucket load of Protea wickets throughout the series.

 

Best Bets with BETOLIMP:

Top SA 1st Inns Batsman – Q de Kock @ 6.50

Batsman to score fifty in the 1st Inns – V Kohli YES @ 2.20

Man of the Match – Ravindra Jadeja @ 10.00

 

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

 

Couch Critic