It is much too early to call which teams will dominate this season's IPL. The overseas players might take slightly longer to bed in which could impact the performance of the teams who lean heavily on foreign talents.
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians | Tuesday 13 April | 16:00
To Win Match
Knight Riders 29/20
Tie 25/1
Indians 57/100
The Kolkata Knight Riders got their campaign off to a winning start largely thanks to a superb knock from opener Nitish Rana.
Mumbai Indians suffered a final ball defeat to RCB last time out and will be eager to bounce back in a bid to defend their title.
Marco Jansen put in a standout shift with the ball for Mumbai in their first match and might have earned himself an extended run in the team.
KKR count themselves lucky to have secured the services of Prasidh Krishna before his breakout displays for India and giving their team perhaps their best balance since their last IPL-winning season.
Verdict: Kolkata Knight Riders 29/20
The Kolkata outfit offers excellent value here at 29/20 and look well-positioned to build on their winning start.
Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bangalore | Wednesday 14 April |16:00
To Win Match
Sunrisers 11/10
Tie 25/1
Royal Challengers 77/100
The Sunrisers Hyderabad started with defeat but should at least be happy with the form of Englishman Jonny Bairstow.
The Royal Challengers Bangalore started with victory powered by the brilliance of AB de Villiers and have Glenn Maxwell looking in good touch as well.
The Sunrisers have an ace up their sleeve in Rashid Khan who has proven to be both economical and a wicket-threat.
Harshal Patel might prove to be the find of the IPL, having started his season with a five-for in RCB’s opening match.
Verdict: Royal Challengers Bangalore 77/100
Early days yet, but the Royal Challengers look a real threat to shake off their “perennial underachievers” at this edition of the IPL.
Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Capitals | Thursday 15 April | 16:00
To Win Match
Royals 5/4
Tie 25/1
Capitals 67/100
The Rajasthan Royals will have to find their feet quickly to avoid becoming the early pick for the wooden spoon.
The Delhi Capitals showed off their strong core of Indian performers in a thrilling start to their campaign.
Prithvi Shaw has been red-hot since being dropped by India, tearing up the domestic scene and looks set to terrorize attacks up front for the Capitals with in-form partner Shikhar Dhawan.
The Royals might have been guilty of underestimating the Punjab Kings but must find some way of upping their game.
Verdict: Delhi Capitals 67/100
The men from Delhi look far more settled and are ideally positioned to claim victory over the Royals.
Punjab Kings vs Chennai Super Kings | Friday 16 April 2021 | 16:00
To Win Match
Kings 92/100
Tie 25/1
Super Kings 92/100
The Punjab Kings will be hoping that Deepak Hooda can keep up his incredible start to the IPL campaign and keep the team on track for the playoffs.
Chennai Super Kings might feel they allowed a win to slip away in their opening match.
Having Dwayne Bravo back to his best will be a huge boost to CSK but they really need more explosive batting from their top order.
The Punjab Kings have a boom or bust batting lineup, but one can’t discount the impact bowlers like Mohammad Shami and Jhye Richardson can have on a match.
Verdict: Punjab Kings 92/100
This is probably the most even contest on paper as is reflected by the betting for the fixture. I have a feeling, however, that the Kings will get over the line here.
