The game of cricket has many forms, but test cricket is deemed by most fans and pundits as its cleanest. Fans are rejoicing as we're in the middle of the season dedicated to one of the biggest cricket rivalries between Australia and India. There aren't too many unlikely rivalries on the national level. Yet, considering that cricket is one of the more popular sports far east and far south, it’s no wonder these two teams developed a passionate rivalry.
The Land Down Under, its hot summer, and duels between teams are putting fans into a frenzy. India had already won the first test at Perth by a whooping margin of 295 runs. But most of the true lovers of the game are filled with doubts and questions that seek answers. Can Virat Kohli continue the form shown in the first test where he scored an unbeaten century? Or Will the combo of Josh Hazelwood and Pat Cummins bounce back in this series? All of these questions will be answered in a month or so ahead of us.
In this article, we will walk you through the series that is one of the most anticipated in the sport's recent history. We will start with the most recent matchups and key players that can shift the tides of the duel and how it's all perceived through the lenses of bookmakers and odds.
The 2024/25 India-Australia Tour: What to Expect
The India cricket team is already on Australian soil and they are already taking over with their first win in the series. The ultimate prize still awaits the teams, as the Border-Gavaskar trophy will be awarded at the end of the series. What everyone eager to bet needs to know is that the Indian team has a solid record when they travel to the south of our planet.
While modern test match practices are nowadays limited to three matches, this historic duel has five of them. These teams are highly ranked and are currently No1 and No2 on the reputable ICC Test rankings. These standings and the results of the test series will have an effect on the World Test Championship Final, which is on schedule for next summer, but more on that later. For now, let's focus on the dates and locations of the upcoming duels.
Crucial Dates and Iconic Venues
The best part of this series is its length. The test series between India and Australia starts in late November, and it ends in January. Between all the matches of the official series, there is also a two-day Tour match slotted in between. For all fans who love holiday festivities and sports paired together, there is also a match slotted for Boxing Day. All that's left for fans of cricket and sports prediction is to find the best cricket predictio site available and start wagering on these exciting matches. Before you do that, let's take a look at dates and venues:
1st test—The first test is already finished and won by team India. It was played between 22nd and 26th November. The home ground for the first test was the famed Perth Stadium in Perth.
2nd test—There is no long wait between the two tests, as the next one starts on December 6th and ends on December 10th. The venue will be moved to Adelaide Oval in Adelaide.
3rd test – This one moves to The Gabba stadium in Brisbane, a middle December test slotted between 14th and 18th December.
4th test—The fourth outing, and the one that probably attracts the most attention, is scheduled for December 26th, Boxing Day, and the 3D December. These games will be played at MCG in Melbourne.
5th test—The series ends at Sydney Cricket Ground on 7 January and starts on the 3rd of the first month of the new year.
Predictions and Winning Picks for Test Matches
Without false modesty, we expect these matches to be classics. As we already mentioned, these test matches will play a role in the next World Test Championship cycle. Considering that England will be hosting it, the stakes are as high as they can get.
Only the two top teams will receive qualifications for the WTC Finals. If other results do not go India's way, their only path to the WTC Finals will be possible with a 4:0 win over Australia. Based on this additional pressure and India's most recent defeat in the hands of New Zealand, Aussies see their chances of featuring at the Lord's showpiece. Unlike India, Australia 'only' needs five wins from their remaining seven bouts.
What doesn't play into Australia's hands is that they haven't won against India in their past four test series. What's even worse is that they haven't won in these duels for almost a full decade. Some players looking to exact revenge for all those losses include the likes of Travis Head, Pat Cummins, and Josh Inglis, while David Warner retired in the meantime. This might also be one of the last outings for Mitchell Starc, who is planning to play only white ball in the future, while Adam Zampa was excluded by the coach's decision.
One of the players who will be looking to let some steam off during these matches is Steve Smith, as he's only averaging a little above 30 this year. On the other hand, India's team will once again be leaning on the legendary Virat Kohli. While his best years are behind him, Kohli still has the star power to make this India team a dangerous opponent. When things get tough, the team will look at him to make plays.
While India has been struggling lately, they are still entering these duels as favorites. While they're playing as guests, the pitches in Australia will play in their game-style favor. In India they play on slower and spin-friendlier fields, while in the land down under, they will face swing-heavy and fast-paced surroundings. So, as far as our expert picks and predictions on test match cricket go, we think that India has a better chance of winning the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. A side with names such as Rohit Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja should be able to tip the favor to their side.
Cricket Prediction Odds & Tips
If you choose a partner such as Stake.com, prediction of cricket becomes much easier. To get to your goal, you need to go to their main menu, go through the sports available, and land on cricket. Once there, you need to sort out matches available, and focus on the test series in question. If you don't want to focus only on the duel between India and Australia, that's fine, too. These gambling outlets also offer the possibility to bet on the international T20s and simulated reality leagues.
For those eager to follow only Test cricket, you should focus on the available odds and set the stakes as you pick the games. Wagering is available through plenty of options, one of the more popular ones being crypto ones. If you're new to sports prediction on cricket, worry not; we have you covered. Below are some of the best ways to bet on this sport. Let's start with the simplest one:
* Match winner – Experienced bettors know we're talking about moneyline prediction. The secret lies in the ability to predict the match winner. When you bet on test games, you need to know that a draw is a possibility if rain interrupts the match, but that's not likely to happen during a summer in Australia.
* Props – When you bet on props you ought to follow player and team performances closely. Hitting on props bet relies on how a team or a player performs in a certain domain. For example you could bet on Mitchell Aaron Starc to pick up the most wickets in the second Test.
* Outrights – Here, we enter the domain of future predictions. Outrights are an outlook on the entire series outcome. With markets for this prediction set fairly in advance, you can bet on how the entire series ends and the exact score.
* Totals – Over/Under prediction functions cricket rather similar to all other major sports. You pick a category, and you have the moneyline set for the particular game, and you bet Over/Under. Let's use runs scored as an example. You have the line set at over 300.5 for Australia in the first innings. In this scenario, 301 or more runs are necessary to hit the Over bet. If you play Under, the number of runs must remain below the line. Another variation in this field is the Asian totals. While it's possible to place handicap bets on cricket, this type of predictions is better reserved for football.
* Multi-bet builder – Don't do it if you're not a pro. Playing a bet builder requires placing multiple bets on one slip. If you want to focus on the Test game between India and Australia you'll do it by mixing the available markets. The best example is combining a number of runs with the first wicket method, etc. These bets work by leveraging smaller amounts, aiming at hitting larger odds in the process.
If you have in mind your approach to cricket predictions we can aid it with a few useful tips. Those who lack strategy need to read this part definitely:
* Search for value – before placing a bet you need to explore the markets. Favorites are favored with a reason but you shouldn't be focused on them only. Look for a broader picture before making a move, as it could give you the focus on easy bets that are not visible at first.
* Bankroll – Do not play games for fun. Play them wisely and well within your means. This is why having a bankroll is essential for any future success. Bet small amounts, get into the groove, and never chase your losses.
* Follow the news – Just like in most other sports, cricket is played by the best and in-form players on the national level. Their minor injuries or absences can change the trajectory of every individual game. So stay in touch with the news when you plan on going in. Do not determine your bets on old glory's sake.
How & Where to Watch Cricket Test Games .
This is the question you must ask yourself if you plan to bet on cricket. Some live action is also possible in this sport, so having a steady stream from live venues is essential. People claim nothing beats live cricket, so you must take the next best thing if you're not in Australia. For all of you still not owning an account on Stake, you ought to know that they have an amazing streaming platform. All you need to do to watch their streams is to open one. It comes free even if you haven't bet on the game.
But, when you open an account on this platform, you become eligible for their top-notch sports promotions. Some parks include double your winnings, early payouts, and bonuses and promotions. If you become regular, there are also even better deals with Stake's VIP Club aimed at those who see themselves as high rollers and act like such. Signing up today almost guarantees better and higher bonuses, personalized hosts, and more. Bet on cricket, bet wisely and don't forget to be responsible with your funds.
Summary
Prediction on cricket test games is a unique experience. The games span for days on a schedule that starts in November and ends in January. This allows players to work on their slips for longer and to adapt their approach to cricket predictions. A unique sport requires a unique approach to prediction, and with a few tips and predictions, we gave each of you a good starting position concerning the sport, predictions, and test games in particular. Considering the schedule is already on, you shouldn't waste time on this event.