India v Australia Third Test: Prediction & Best Bets

India and Australia go again in the third Test of the series tomorrow morning at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. The visitors have had a terrible tour so far, losing the first two Tests by an innings and 132 runs and by six wickets respectively. Another win for India will see them book a place in the final of the World Test Championship. Lwanele Poswayo has a prediction and the best bets for this encounter.

Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin’s performances in this series have gone under the radar with Ravindra Jadeja grabbing the headlines. At the halfway point in the series, he has 14 wickets at an average of 13.92 and will be happy with the change of venue. There have been two Tests played in Indore with Ashwin taking 18 wickets in those two Tests.

Back him to be India’s top first-innings bowler and if you’re feeling bold, go for him to be player of the match at 7.00.

Suggested Bet: Ravichandran Ashwin to be India’s top first-innings bowler at 2.75

Value Bet: Ravichandran Ashwin to be the player of the match at 7.00

Steve Smith

Steven Smith has yet to get going in this series but I have a feeling he will come good in this Test. He will captain the Aussies in the absence of Pat Cummins and has an excellent record as captain against India. Smith averages 71.28 in eight innings in India as Australia captain (3×100) which increases to 81.07 in 14 H2H innings home and away as captain (1×50 6×100).

Suggested Bet: Steve Smith to be Australia’s top first-innings batsman at 3.75

Alternative Bet: Steve Smith to score 50+ first innings runs at 2.50

Rohit Sharma

India’s skipper Rohit Sharma is India’s leading runscorer in the series following a fantastic century in the first Test, and having missed plenty of cricket through injury over the last year, he now looks right back to his best. I’m backing him to be India’s top batsman in this Test at healthy odds of 4.35.

Suggested Bet: Rohit Sharma to be India’s top batsman at 4.35

Prediction

Despite the possible return of Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green, Australia have been dealt major blows with Pat Cummins and David Warner returning back home. India look like the more settled and confident side, so back them to clinch the series here with a win.