There are still two unbeaten teams in the IPL but that could be set to change this week. Kolkata Knight Riders and the Rajasthan Royals put their undefeated status on the line through this week.
Monday 8 April
Super Kings 92/100 | Tie 25/1 | Knight Riders 92/100 (16:00)
CSK started this tournament strongly but have threatened to go off the boil after back-to-back losses.
The hosts will want to show that they have the batting unit to win matches after bit part efforts from their top order.
KKR have the game-breaker of the tournament in their ranks in Andre Russell who is leading the way in this event for early impact.
The Knight Riders have won four straight and are out to join an elite club of teams to win five straight off the start.
Verdict: Kolkata Knight Riders 92/100
The bookies can’t split them at around 9/10 the pair. KKR, however, are the form team and represent good value. Get on!
Tuesday 9 April
Kings 21/20 | Tie 25/1 | Sunrisers 82/100 (16:00)
The Punjab Kings appear to have arrested a slide after snapping a two-match losing sequence last time out.
They face a Sunrisers team who haven’t extracted full value from the quality of cricket they have played.
The Sunrisers need to maximise the amount of time given to their finishers but ideally, they also want Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma to get going.
Kagiso Rabada stands out as the Punjab Kings leader with the ball in hand and could be key to their cause.
Verdict: Sunrisers Hyderabad 82/100
The Sunrisers have played some really good cricket so far without picking up the results their performances deserve. That should change here against this Kings outfit.
Wednesday 10 April
Royals 72/100 | Tie 25/1 | Titans 23/20 (16:00)
The Royals are hunting a fourth win in a row after a great start to the tournament and look like they have several more gears to go through.
They face a Gujarat Titans team that has so far struggled to live up to expectations.
The Titans haven’t dealt with the loss of their skipper Hardik Pandya to Mumbai Indians particularly well.
For the Royals, Yuzvendra Chahal has been weaving magic and he will be a big wicket threat again.
Verdict: Rajasthan Royals 72/100
The Royals are one of the form sides in the competition and should be too strong for the misfiring Titans.
Thursday 11 April
Indians 72/100 | Tie 25/1 | Royal Challengers 23/20 (16:00)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru are out to snap a three-match losing streak when they face Mumbai Indians.
MI themselves arrested their slide last time out winning for the first time this season.
Jasprit Bumrah has been consistent with the ball for MI despite a poor run of results and remains among the best in the world in the format.
RCB need to improve with just one win in five IPL matches.
Verdict: Mumbai Indians 72/100
Neither side has shot the lights out. I’m leaning toward the Indians but this is perhaps one to avoid?
