India v England Fifth Test Player Tips: Hit Bairstow price one more time

• YJB still underrated

• Ashwin a gamble at 50/1

• Patidar a sell in-play

India v England
Thursday 7 March, 04.00
TV: Live on TNT

Top England first-innings runscorer

Jonny Bairstow plays his 100th Test match for England. Like a famed jockey on his last ride, there will be plenty reckoning that the Yorkshireman will be putting in a little bit extra to make it memorable for more reasons than a milestone.

We don't subscribe to such theories. At elite level athletes don't try that bit harder because it would add to the fairytale. They're scrapping every day to retain their position. If anything, it could become a hindrance with too much emotion involved.

We will be backing Bairstow for top England runscorer in the first-innings because it makes sense for other reasons. For a start, the 7/18.00 that Sportsbook offer is out of line with how often he wins in the last couple of years.

It's a price that has continued to drift as the noise continues about Bairstow's place in the team and views from pundits that he has gone at the game. We're not convinced about the latter with some signs in this series that he still has what it takes.

Furthermore, seam and swing could be present in Dharamsala which could keep top-order scores down. We don't rule out a Test dominated by pacers, in which case 50 or 60 may be enough to win this market.

To that end Ben Foakes will have his backers at 10/111.00, although we can't claim it's a win-rate bet. Tom Hartley also has appeal at 50/151.00. That's definitely a price to take in the second innings as, presumably, the pitch won't be getting any easier.

Top India first-innings runscorer

If we're right about Dharamsala conditions being a home from home for England, we are tempted by the 50/151.00 on offer from Sportsbook about Ravi Ashwin on a top Indian runscorer market which otherwise is a dearth of value.

Ashwin can bat and he at least has form in 'alien' conditions. He top scored for India at Lord's in 2018 and was within a boundary of doing the same in Jo'burg in 2022. Sportsbook go 6/17.00 that he makes 50 in first-innings. It could be that sort of score is enough.

Yas Jaiswal is 11/43.75 jolly for top bat with Rohit Sharma's hugely disappointing win rate making the 3/14.00 a massive swerve. Sarfaraz Khan looks toppy at 8/19.00 on ability and the 15/82.88 for a fifty may have some appeal.

In-play we're looking to get against Rajat Patidar's runs. There is some doubt about whether he retains his position. A short at 5/61.84 at around the 25.5 mark is one for the notebook.

Patidar is under pressure for a score early in his career and a lack of foot movement could be exposed on a more testing pitch.

Top first-innings bowler markets

A rested and refreshed Jasprit Bumrah will prove popular for top India first-innings bowler honours. Sportsbook make him 5/23.50 to take most wickets.

There's a view that it will be more of a pitch for the pacers because of the Ranji Trophy formbook this season. Generally they have out-bowled spinners.

Sportsbook have also boosted Bumrah to 10/111.00 for man of the match. James Anderson is a fancy at 3/14.00 for top England bowler with Ollie Robinson listed at the same price even though he's not playing.

Now read the fifth Test match odds preview here

Listen to Cricket Only Bettor HERE...