The Indian Premier League is in full swing, and the rustiness seems to be a thing of the past, but in a high-pressure environment, we can still expect a few mistakes.
Photo Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
We are getting a good idea of which teams now look like contenders, but the six-week tournament is not won in the second week.
Saturday 26 September 2020 | Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi | 16:00
To Win Match
Kolkata Knight Riders 21/20
Tie 25/1
Sunrisers Hyderabad 82/100
Two teams with a desire to be in the playoffs the Sunrisers and KKR didn’t make the best start to the tournament but can redeem themselves in Abu Dhabi.
The Sunrisers may be without Kane Williamson, but Jonny Bairstow has carried his excellent form into the tournament and looks to be the Orange Army’s danger man.
KKR got off to a sluggish start with a wayward bowling performance followed by a stuttering batting effort against Mumbai Indians in their first match. They need openers Shubman Gill and Sunil Narine to give them a better platform to keep the pressure off the middle-order.
The Sunrisers have called Jason Holder into their squad after Mitchell Marsh was withdrawn from injury, but it is unclear if the West Indies skipper will be available for this match.
KKR will be hoping for more from both Pat Cummins and Kuldeep Yadav with the ball in hand after their bowling game-breakers failed to make an impact in the defeat to Mumbai.
Verdict: Sunrisers Hyderabad 82/100
Sunday 27 September 2020 | Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah | 16:00
To Win Match
Rajasthan Royals 92/100
Tie 25/1
Kings XI Punjab 92/100
The Royals and the Kings XI have started the IPL on opposite ends of the good fortune spectrum. The Kings XI were done in by questionable umpiring in their opener while the Royals benefitted from some generous CSK bowling.
Sanju Samson’s blistering knock in the opening match sounded a warning to the other teams that the Royals have plenty of firepower even without Jos Buttler. The England man should be available for this match. The Proteas David Miller could be the overseas professional who misses out after Steve Smith’s crucial contribution in their first match.
The Kings XI could do with their skipper KL Rahul finding his best form to power them to the right end of the table.
Tom Curran took some punishment in the opening match, but the seam-bowling allrounder is a resilient cricketer, and he is likely to bounce back.
Mohammed Shami has been deadly with the new ball, and if he could get among the Royals top order, it would improve the Kings XI’s shot at victory.
Verdict: Rajasthan Royals 92/100
Monday 28 September 2020 | Dubai International Stadium, Dubai | 16:00
To Win Match
Royal Challengers Bangalore 23/20
Tie 25/1
Mumbai Indians 72/100
The Royal Challengers Bangalore face an early test of their title credentials against the defending champions in Dubai.
Mumbai Indians didn’t start as strongly as they would have liked but have been improving every game and with Rohit Sharma in ominous form they will be a handful.
Virat Kohli will want to get some runs on the board while AB de Villiers seems to be in great touch after opening the tournament with a quickfire half-century.
Jasprit Bumrah has once again emerged as the Mumbai Indians leader with the ball in hand on pitches which have proven to have more for the quicks than most expected they would.
After Yuzvendra Chahal’s match-winning efforts in RCB’s opener, it will be interesting to see if RCB are willing to go with double leg-spin and give Adam Zampa a run.
Verdict: Mumbai Indians 72/100
Tuesday 29 September 2020 | Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi | 16:00
To Win Match
Delhi Capitals
Tie
Sunrisers Hyderabad
The Capitals got a little bit lucky in their super over win over the Kings XI, but there is no denying that Marcus Stoinis and Kagiso Rabada are on fire.
The Sunrisers will be pressed into action in Abu Dhabi again, just a few days after their meeting with KKR.
The Capitals top order is loaded with homegrown potential led by the likes of Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan and franchise skipper Shreyas Iyer.
To be title contenders, the Sunrisers need India quick Bhuvneshwar Kumar to lead with the ball in hand and leg spinner Rashid Khan to find his best form as well.
Rabada and Proteas teammate Anrich Nortje give the Capitals express pace options while Mohit Sharma has proven to be a handy partner to the South African quicks.
Verdict: Delhi Capitals
