It is still early days in the six-week T20 extravaganza known as the IPL, but we have already seen some teams hit the ground running while others have so far failed to launch.
All eight sides will be in action on a weekend packed with a brace of IPL double-headers that will help to establish the early pace-setters.
Coming into the weekend only the Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders have yet to taste defeat in IPL 2019.
Saturday 30 March
IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali (12:30)
To Win Match
Kings XI Punjab 23/20
Tie 35/1
Mumbai Indians 72/100
The Kings XI Punjab have had their decent start to the 2019 IPL campaign overshadowed by Ravichandran Ashwin’s cheeky Mankad of Jos Buttler in an opening game they narrowly won.
Their skipper Ashwin says that the media storm has brought the team together and they are ready to take on a Mumbai Indians side who have yet to display their best cricket.
The Kings XI have the ‘Universe Boss’ Chris Gayle looking ominous and Lokesh Rahul in some of the best form of his life and will not be a walkover for Mumbai.
Despite sustaining an injury in the opener Jasprit Bumrah is expected to be fit to take the attack to the Kings XI for the traditionally slow-starting Indians.
The Pandya brothers will be critical to the hopes of the Mumbai Indians with both bat and ball and the siblings remain in contention for India’s World Cup squad.
Verdict: The Kings XI to shade this one.
Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi (16:30)
To Win Match
Dehli Capitals 23/20
Tie 35/1
Kolkata Knight Riders 72/100
The Delhi Capitals have shown some potential so far but worryingly have displayed the same inconsistency that forever plagued the old Daredevils franchise.
The Capitals have directly benefitted from the superb form of Proteas pace ace Kagiso Rabada, who was brilliant in the opening victory over Mumbai. Colin Ingram and Rishabh Pant are also threatening to create a destructive middle-order alliance.
Their opponents, though, are the unbeaten Kolkata Knight Riders, who have thus far shown themselves to be the most destructive batting force. KKR’s success has been built on the consistency of Nitish Rana.
KKR’s dangerous top six have the potential to win them every match with a blend of homegrown talent like veteran Robin Uthappa, India stalwart Dinesh Karthik and the exciting young Rana.
The runs leaked by Sunil Narine and Lockie Ferguson will be a concern for KKR as they look to mount a serious title challenge.
Verdict: KKR to keep their roll going.
Sunday, 31 March
Rajiv Gandhi Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad (12:30)
To Win Match
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Tie
Royal Challengers Bangalore
The Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore suffered contrasting defeats in their opening games. The Orange Army went down in a thriller, while RCB were tamely rolled over by the Chennai Super Kings in the very first match.
Their poor start aside, the playing staff at the Royal Challengers Bangalore make them a dangerous opponent for anyone to face at any stage of the competition and the early troubles will serve as motivation for their fiercely competitive skipper Virat Kohli.
The Sunrisers were guilty of falling away a bit after David Warner and Jonny Bairstow got them off to a roaring star, and they will need greater focus on finishing whether batting first or second.
Rashid Khan has the early pick of a Sunrisers bowling attack that has yet to live up to its reputation.
All the talk in the RCB camp is around young quick Navdeep Saini, who is already being touted as a future India star.
Verdict: Sunrisers Hyderabad to cash in on the pressure on RCB with a win.
M A Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai (16:30)
To Win Match
Chennai Super Kings
Tie
Rajasthan Royals
CSK have quickly stamped their authority on IPL 2019 and, having played just two matches, are already favourites to win the whole thing.
The Super Kings appear to have instilled a winning mentality in their players across the board and always appear to be in a position to come out on top regardless of the actual match situation. This could be down to the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-effect or simply success breeding success.
CSK’s spinners have started well, led by 40-year-old Proteas wizard Imran Tahir.
The Rajasthan Royals have been thrown off by the unfortunate dismissal of Buttler in an opening game they will still feel they should have won.
The Royals have a potent batting lineup like most IPL franchises, but they need to dig deep with ball in hand if they are to challenge a rampant CSK.
Verdict: The safe bet is always Chennai Super Kings.
Written by @JonhenryWilson
