Couch Critic previews the betting for the Indian Premier League matches taking place on Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th April including Royal Challengers Bangalore v Kings XI and Kolkata Knight Riders v Rajasthan Royals
RCB vs KINGS XI (Wednesday, 24 April – 16:30)
Setting the Scene: Delhi might be the new team to beat but at present the task remains the same for the men at the bottom of the pile – just keep winning to try and sneak a fourth spot finish. Whilst the Royal Challengers try and get back into the fight the Kings are already very much in the middle of the, very heated scrap. In the previous meeting between these sides Gayle put on a show only to be eclipsed by the Kohli-AB combo putting on a clinic of class.
Let’s Talk Tactics: Surprisingly it was the RCB bowlers who delivered the thrilling upset over the high-flying CSK recently. Steyn, Saini and Chahal all did their part on this occasion. Patel was the one to deliver with the bat which made for a pleasant change to Kohli having to lead the way. RCB have finally found a better balance to their team it seems.
Punjab are still heavily reliant on their potent opening pair to launch them toward a chance of success. Ball in hand they have scrapped well without really having the lethal pace bowler or bamboozling wrist spinner.
Apart from the 160 a piece clash the home side also struggled to 149/8 against Delhi on this Chinnaswamy wicket.
Verdict: The last two games seem to suggest scoring has become more difficult in Bangalore but KKR have also successfully chased down a 200 here so proceed with caution in that regard. What I do feel is true for this pitch as that it holds no particular advantage to the spinners, despite Chahal having done well here, and as such there could be some value in looking at the quicks to back with a bet.
Batting wise it has to be between Raul and the Universe Boss, but don’t throw Agarwal away as a serious six-hitter.
Bets:
Player to score most Sixes – M Agarwal @ 12.40
Top Kings XIBatsman – KL Rahul @ 4.00
Top Kings XI Bowler – M Shami @ 4.70
Top RCB Bowler – N Saini @ 5.50
KKR vs RAJASTHAN ROYALS (Thursday, 25 April – 16:30)
Setting the Scene: With only four games left to play both these teams find themselves desperately in need of a win to ensure they stay relevant with regard to fighting for a place in the playoffs. KKR havecome to a grinding halt having tasted defeat in their last five outings whilst RR have never been able to get any momentum going in 2019.
Let’s Talk Tactics: Coach Kallis has tinkered with his line-up, but the only constant for the Knight Riders has been the form of André Russell. With the willow KKR have been able to do plenty of damage, despite the lack of consistent runs from Lynn at the top, yet the bowling has been their weak point. Gurney, Ferguson and Brathwaite have all had a run but none have been able to deliver a significant haul of wickets whilst the lack of strike ability from Kuldeep Yadav has left KKR without any bite to their bark.
A sublime 100 by Rahane was not enough to get his team over the line on Monday but the Indian opener along with Samson and Smith remain the crucial cogs in the Royals’ wheel especially with Buttler no longer around. Bowling wise Gopal and Archer have delivered the wickets with regularity.
Three scores of over 200 have been notched up at Eden Gardens whilst the lowest score in any innings thus far in Kolkata was 161.
Verdict: Kolkata can bat and bat big but can’t bowl with much penetration, nor frugality. The top three for the visitors are all going great guns at present so it’s a fool’s game in trying to pick one to perform from the lot. Rajasthan have been able to carve out a few decent totals but don’t really have the big boundary clearers without Buttler. The price on the home side hitting more sixes than their opponents is just too short and as such I will head for the sixes market on the Royals for some action. It is unclear whether Archer will still be around for this match and as such I will have a little gamble that this swings things in favour of Gopal to be the leading threat with ball in hand for RR.
Bets:
Top R Royals Bowler – S Gopal @ 3.70
Total number of Rajasthan Sixes – Under 6.5 @ 1.90
Man of the Match – S Narine @ 12.40
(Note, all odds quoted are subject to change)
Enjoy the cricket and happy punting!
