The IPL continues this weekend, and with the table-toppers out of action on Saturday and Sunday, the jostling below them will heat up. James Richardson previews matches 52-55.
The IPL moves forward this weekend with the playoff hunt on in earnest.
The table-topping Rajasthan Royals have the weekend off giving others the chance to haul them in on the log.
Saturday 4 May
Royal Challengers 72/100 | Draw 25/1 | Titans 23/20 (16:00)
RCB will be out to move off the bottom of the table when they face the Gujarat Titans at the Chinnaswamy.
Gujarat Titans have misfired this season with some feeling this is down to the loss of their former skipper Hardik Pandya.
RCB have their talisman in Virat Kohli but are still two points behind the wayward Titans.
Kohli is second on the runs chart but it hasn’t helped RCB with results not going their way.
Verdict: Royal Challengers Bengaluru 72/100
The Royal Challengers have won two on the spin and look to have turned a corner. Back them to come good on Saturday.
Sunday 5 May
Kings 21/20 | Tie 25/1 | Super Kings 81/100 (12:30)
Punjab Kings and Chennai Super Kings aren’t in playoff places but they could make a big push towards the tail end of the competition with a positive result in Dharamsala.
The Kings have been poor in home games but might find the shift to high-altitude Dharamsala might favour them.
CSK have lost three of their last four matches to see their resurgence lose steam.
CSK need a win from this pressure match and they are probably the side better equipped to get it done.
Verdict: Chennai Super Kings 81/100
The Super Kings’ form has been patchy but you’d still expect them to overcome this Kings outfit more often than not. I’m leaning toward them to get the job done in picturesque Dharamsala.
Super Giants 21/20 | Tie 25/1 | Knight Riders 81/100 (16:00)
Kolkata Knight Riders could move level on points with the first-placed team if they can pull off a win in Lucknow.
LSG have won four of their six matches at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium.
KKR arrested a threatened slide by winning their last two matches and they now look like a good bet for playoff cricket.
LSG are also up there with KKR chasing the Royals at the top but they can only draw level with their rivals in this match.
Verdict: Kolkata Knight Riders 81/100
The Knight Riders have clicked back into gear after a mid-season wobble and are rightly favourites to win here.
Monday 6 May
Indians 72/100 | Tie 25/1 | Sunrisers 23/20 (16:00)
The Sunrisers got back to winning ways in their last match albeit by the narrowest possible margin.
SRH beat the Mumbai Indians when they last met as they belted a huge total.
The Wankhede might not be able to contain the Sunrisers more explosive batters but the Mumbai Indians bowlers have done well of late.
SRH will cement themselves in the playoff spots with a victory while MI might fear that a loss will leave them chasing the game when it comes to the post-season.
Verdict: Sunrisers Hyderabad 23/20
The Indians have lost four on the spin. You simply can’t back them on that kind of form.
