The play-off race is heating up in the IPL with a whole host of mid-table sides jostling for position. This weekend’s ties will prove crucial come the end of the regular season. James Richarson previews matches 34-37.
While the top of the table picture is taking shape the mid-table is very congested.
As a result of that most of the matches in the IPL this weekend are four-pointers between teams trying to battle through the pack to get a playoff berth
Friday 19 April
Super Giants 5/4 | Tie 25/1 | Super Kings 67/100 (16:00)
CSK arrive in Lucknow with an edge over LSG but they will be aware that it could be erased at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium.
CSK have won their last two matches on the bounce in contrast to LSG who have lost in their last two.
Shivam Dube’s consistency with the bat has driven CSK into a strong position on the table.
As Nicholas Pooran’s performance has dipped so has LSG’s but they cannot put everything on the West Indies star.
Verdict: Chennai Super Kings 67/100
This should be a pretty straight-forward Test for the Super Kings, provided they can keep Pooran quiet.
Saturday 20 April
Capitals 23/20 | Tie 25/1 | Sunrisers 72/100 (16:00)
The Delhi Capitals play their first match in the actual capital eight matches into the campaign and that is not the only thing that hasn’t been ideal for this team.
DC play their first match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium after playing their two home fixtures to date in Visakhapatnam.
Unfortunately for the hosts, they take on a scary Sunrisers Hyderabad team that will be out to blow them out of the water.
SRH have smashed the IPL score record twice in this tournament and look set to continue bullying attacks.
Verdict: Sunrisers 72/100
The Sunrisers are flying at the moment and should far too hot to handle for the Capitals.
Sunday 21 April
Knight Riders 66/100 | Tie 25/1 | Royal Challengers 5/4 (12:00)
KKR have won two of their three matches at Eden Gardens so far and they are flying high on the table.
RCB meanwhile, are propping up the table at the moment and need more standout performances from stars like Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli.
KKR’s Sunil Narine has been the talk of the tournament with many calling for him to be drafted into the Windies squad for the T20 World Cup.
RCB have lost their last five matches in a row and losing has become a habit for this group.
Verdict: Kolkata Knight Riders 66/100
Banker of the weekend for more. Get on the Knight Riders to heap further misery on the Royal Challengers.
Kings 21/20 | Tie 25/1 | Titans 82/100 (16:00)
Punjab Kings are also trying to get away from the bottom of the table but their form is also questionable given they have lost three in a row.
GT need a win from this match after making a poor start and if they aren’t able to knock off the Punjab Kings they probably won’t make it to the play-offs.
Kagiso Rabada has been on point with the ball for Punjab Kings but they haven’t been able to turn his wickets into match wins.
Rashid Khan has added to his very impressive IPL career stats and remains hungry for wickets as well.
Verdict: Gujarat Titans 82/100
The Kings have battled this term and should succumb to the Titans on Sunday evening.
