The 2nd Test in the pulsating England v India series heads to Edgbaston with the hosts 1-0 after a superb chase at Headingley. Can the tourists fight back in Birmingham? Andy Schooler previews the anticipated second test, exclusively for kwiff.
England v India: Andy Schooler’s Exclusive 2nd Test Preview
Venue: Edgbaston, Birmingham, England
Date/Time: Wednesday July 2, 1100 BST (5 days)
TV: Sky Sports Cricket
India were probably closer to England than the odds suggested in the first Test but they were still beaten at Headingley, made to rue not putting enough runs on the board. They blew strong positions in each innings, losing 7-41 in the first and 6-31 in the second. While there has been much talk about the need to take 20 wickets and therefore picking the bowlers most likely to take them – wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav has been mentioned as a possible pick here with the Indians set to go with two spinners – you can see why the tourists have been keen to bolster the batting down the order.
England v India: Edgy Edgbaston
The need for wickets will become greater if Jasprit Bumrah is left out – he’s on record as saying he’ll only play three of the five matches and with the third Test to follow at Lord’s less than four days after this one ends, he may be held back. That’s arguably already factored into the win market with England 1.6 and India out to 3.2 – they were 2.65 for the opener. However, they have never won at Edgbaston in eight previous Tests, losing seven of them.
Perhaps the draw is worth considering at 5.6, for those happy to rely on the weather forecast. Backing this result in Test cricket has become something of a no-go area due to the increased pace of the game, especially in England, but rain is expected on day one and over the weekend. Betting on or against the weather isn’t really for me though and until we know what India will do with Bumrah, it’s hard to get involved in the match betting.
Instead, let’s look at the sub-markets and when it comes to the England batters, one stat stands out like a sore thumb. Joe Root averages a whopping 70.76 at Edgbaston. The next best in the top six of an unchanged England line-up is Ben Stokes’ figure of 27.3. Root has made three tons in nine Tests in Birmingham, including two in the first innings. There are four other first-innings 50s on his record. He’s 2.35 to make another half-century in the first innings here. Tempting.
England v India: Captain Fantastic
As for England top bowler, Chris Woakes disappointed after I backed him at Headingley, ending the match with only one wicket. He’s perhaps worth another try on his home ground where his Test average drops from 28.9 to an excellent 24.53. However, based on what we saw in Leeds, Ben Stokes could be the value as the 4.7 outsider. He claimed victory in this market in the first Test after taking four wickets and many felt Stokes was the best English bowler on show.
He moved the ball more than any of his colleagues and didn’t hold back in terms of overs bowled which has been a concern for punters backing him in this market in the past. Stokes is another whose average is better here than it is overall so the skipper gets the nod. Backing Stokes for man-of-the-match at 10.0 also has potential given his all-rounder status.
There were five India centuries at Headingley, two of them from Rishabh Pant, who now has four tons from 10 Tests in England. His last five scores in the country have been 118-134-57-146-50, with the 57 and 146 being made on this ground in 2022. The unorthodox Pant had a very attacking mindset in Leeds and here he is 4.2 for top-bat honours and 5.9 for a first-innings century. Both are worth considering but I’ll plump to go over his runs line which is set at 26.5. In all Tests, he’s gone past this mark in his last six innings, as well as 10 of his last 13.
England v India 2nd Test 2025: Best Bets
Root to score 50+ runs (1st inns) @ 2.35 with kwiff
Stokes England top bowler @ 4.7 with kwiff
Pant total runs (1st inns) over 26.5 @ 1.8 with kwiff
By Andy Schooler
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