The Indian Premier League is in its final stretch with three playoff places to being decided in the next few days.
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
The weekend’s doubleheaders will go a long way to determining the top four of an intriguing but wildly unpredictable campaign.
Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians
Saturday 31 October 2020, 12:00
Dubai International Stadium
To Win Match
Delhi Capitals 23/20 | Tie 25/1 | Mumbai Indians 72/100
Mumbai Indians have clinched their place in the last four but would like to finish in the top two spots to guarantee two shots at making the final.
The Capitals need one more win to book their own spot in the final four and will have to matches to achieve the feat.
Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje have proven integral to the Capitals push for a playoff as the franchise seeks to end its wait for an IPL title.
Mumbai have also built their success off the backs of their fast bowlers with Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult proving themselves to be world-class even in the bubble.
The Indians will have to do without skipper Rohit Sharma but have plenty of in-form batsmen including Proteas captain Quinton de Kock. They can guarantee top spot with a win over the Capitals.
Verdict: Mumbai Indians 72/100
The Indians top the table at the time of writing and are tipped to grab another win here.
Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
Saturday 31 October 2020, 16:00
Sharjah Stadium
To Win Match
Royal Challengers 72/100 | Tie 25/1 | Sunrisers 23/20
While Royal Challengers Bangalore start the weekend just two points behind leaders Mumbai, they are not guaranteed a spot in the playoffs just yet, but their fate is in their own hands.
The Sunrisers need to win both their remaining games and hope that CSK and the Rajasthan Royals do them a favour by beating the Kings XI and Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday.
The Orange Army have struggled to apply their explosive batting to the ever-changing conditions and as a result, have just five wins in 12 matches.
RCB are second but have lost their last two matches knowing that victories in either would have seen them through to the playoffs.
The Sunrisers come into this match off the back of a morale-boosting win and will be pushing to keep the pressure on the top four.
Verdict: Sunrisers Hyderabad
Get on David Warner and co to pile the pressure on the Royal Challengers.
Chennai Super Kings vs Kings XI Punjab
Sunday 1 November 2020, 12:00
Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
To Win Match *price to be added on release
Super Kings | Tie 25/1 | Kings XI
CSK are out of the running, but skipper MS Dhoni wants the team to remain relevant, which basically translates to wanting to be a pain in the neck for the teams chasing glory.
The Kings XI are pressed into action again on Sunday after facing the Royals on Friday in a match that will determine if they can afford to lose their final game of the round-robin phase.
Chris Gayle has proven talismanic for the Kings XI, inspiring their remarkable fightback after a wretched start without actually blowing the doors off the IPL.
CSK will be dangerous though, as they are playing without pressure but won’t be walkovers in any sense.
Verdict: Chennai Super Kings
The Super Kings are two from two, but with no pressure to make the play-offs, are tipped to spring a surprise.
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals
Sunday 1 November 2020, 16:00
Dubai International Stadium, Dubai
To Win Match *price to be added on release
Knight Riders | Tie 25/1 | Royals
The Kolkata Knight Riders may feel they had a squad that would guarantee them a spot in the playoffs, but they must win their final match and hope that one of the three teams in front of them they can still catch, slip up.
Whether the Royals have anything to play for will be determined on Friday evening when they face the Kings XI Punjab in their penultimate match.
Jofra Archer, the Royals’ bowling star, is dead keen to get himself out of cricket’s bio-bubbles but he is unlikely to get much of a break before he is thrust into another in Cape Town later in the month.
Ben Stokes has come good at what could be a very opportune time for the Royals smashing a blistering century while opening the batting not too long ago.
England skipper Eoin Morgan was left desperately disappointed by his team’s loss on Thursday which has left them outside the playoff spots as they prepare for their final round-robin match.
Verdict: Rajasthan Royals
The Royals – with the help of an in-form Ben Stokes – are tipped to get over the line against the Knight Riders.
Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore
Monday 2 November 2020, 16:00
Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
To Win Match *price to be added on release
Capitals | Tie 25/1 | Royal Challengers
These two sides will both be eager to clinch a playoff spot before they meet but this contest offers opportunities if one or both lose in the weekend’s doubleheaders.
Virat Kohli has been the leader in the field and with the bat for RCB but couldn’t have got his team to where they are without AB de Villiers who has won matches batting in unconventional positions.
The Capitals have a lot more batting power than they are given credit for, and the slowing of the surfaces could suit their homegrown top-order talents.
This match will produce at least one team for the playoffs with the winner guaranteed to go on.
Verdict: Delhi Capitals
As mentioned above, conditions should play into the hands for the Delhi outfit. Get on.
Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Mumbai Indians
Tuesday 3 November 2020, 16:00
Sharjah Stadium, Sharjah
To Win Match *price to be added on release
Sunrisers | Tie 25/1 | Indians
The Sunrisers may already be out of the running when this match starts rendering this something of a dead rubber but only if they suffer defeat to RCB on Saturday.
Mumbai will know before this match whether or not they have clinched top spot but will not want to take their foot off the gas with the first qualifier just days away.
The Sunrisers Jonny Bairstow has been impressive in patches but hasn’t come off with any regularity while David Warner has been consistent but has failed to strike at his usual rate.
Mumbai have dangers all up and down their order but with finisher Suryakumar Yadav in great touch and Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya waiting in the wings, they are a good bet to go all the way.
Verdict: Mumbai Indians
Mumbai have been the most consistent team in the tournament and should cruise past the Sunrisers on Tuesday.
Written by James Richardson.
