The play-off race is beginning to take shape as the IPL heads into a new week! James Richarson previews matches 30-33.
The IPL playoff race is taking shape with clear favourites for the latter stages emerging.
The coming week will play its part in filling out the picture, not least because of a meeting between the top two sides in the IPL to date: the Rajasthan Royals and the Kolkata Knight Riders.
Monday 15 April
Royal Challengers 21/20 | Tie 25/1 | Sunrisers 82/100 (16:00)
RCB are out to stunt the ambitions of the Sunrisers Hyderabad who have threatened a deep run this season.
SRH can beat any team on their day and are loaded with players who look in great touch including overseas stars Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen.
RCB have once again found themselves unable to get the best out of their overseas players.
Instead much of their best play is down to young Indian talent and Virat Kohli.
Verdict: Sunrisers Hyderabad 82/100
The Hyderabad outfit are far more balanced than RCB and should live up to their favourite bill in this contest.
Tuesday 16 April
Knight Riders 82/100 | Tie 25/1 | Royals 21/20 (16:00)
Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals contest a top-of-the-table clash.
For one side this could be a chance to kick on while the losing team will need to avoid a slide away from the top.
Andre Russell and KKR’s crew of X-factor players have served this team well so far but many feel the bubble will soon burst.
The Royals are a well-balanced side with everything a team needs for franchise T20 glory.
Verdict: Rajasthan Royals 21/20
You just feel that there could be a slide in form coming for KKR based on their brand of cricket. I’m backing the Royals to come good here.
Wednesday 17 April
Titans 82/100 | Tie 25/1 | Capitals 21/20 (16:00)
Gujarat Titans need to prove they are among the title contenders and not the also-rans.
The Titans have won three and lost three so far but can ill afford to lose to the Capitals at this stage.
DC don’t look anything like play-off contenders with their top stars yet to fire at all.
Verdict: Gujarat Titans 82/100
Neither side has shown any sort of consistency thus far. This is perhaps one to avoid, although the Titans just edge it for me.
Thursday 18 April
Kings 29/20 | Tie 25/1 | Indians 57/100 (16:00)
Punjab Kings find themselves above MI on the table but only just; PK have also lost their last two matches and won just one of three contests at the new PCA Stadium.
MI are still threatening a resurgence even if they lost last time out but this contest could prove key in determining their trajectory in the competition.
This match has ‘pivotal’ written all over it for both sides with the respective camps desperate to get their campaigns back on track.
MI were outpunched at home by CSK last time out but are a side that generally travels well in this competition although they are still searching for a first win on the road this season.
Verdict: Mumbai Indians 57/100
Back the Indians to bag their first away win of the campaign against a Kings outfit who have won just once in their last five.
