The Indian Premier League restarts on Sunday in a unique occurrence in the history of the tournament.
It is almost certain that the break will have an effect on all the teams, but it could throw the top teams off course, while those struggling have had time to reflect.
Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians | 19 September | Dubai International Stadium, Dubai | 16:00
To Win Match
Super Kings 21/20
Tie 25/1
Indians 82/100
Chennai Super Kings were looking good before the IPL was stalled but have been struck a blow with an injury to top-order stalwart Faf du Plessis.
CSK will make a late call on the former Proteas skipper’s involvement in the match, but they are a little thin up top if he can’t play.
Mumbai Indians cannot be accused of being thin at the top with Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock at their disposal alongside world-class talents like Suryakumar Yadav, who has kept Chris Lynn out of the starting XI.
Young South African seamer Marco Jansen gets to build on a dream start to his IPL career and put himself in the mind’s of the national selectors should any of the players selected for the T20 World Cup fall foul of injury.
Verdict: CSK 21/20
There’s some good value on the Super Kings here. A cautious play at 21/20.
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore | 20 September | Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi | 16:00
To Win Match
Knight Riders 5/4
Tie 25/1
Royal Challengers 67/100
The Kolkata Knight Riders might be the one side happiest for the suspension of the IPL as they carried a three-match losing streak before play in India was halted.
Before that, they had won just two matches but with Eoin Morgan and Andre Russell in their ranks, they looked a dangerous combination.
RCB were plagued by inconsistency as well but got the rub of the green on a few occasions and as a result, are on course to reach the playoffs if they secure a strong finish.
AB de Villiers was in sublime form before the break and revelled in his new role of finisher. The Challengers will want that to continue.
Verdict: RCB 67/100
The Royal Challengers have the arsenal to blow the Knight Riders away here.
Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals | 21 September 2021 | Dubai International Stadium, Dubai | 16:00
To Win Match
Kings 82/100
Tie 25/1
Royals 21/20
It’s not that surprising to find the Punjab Kings near the bottom of the table this term after a seemingly panicked auction failed to address the squad’s weaknesses.
A little more surprising has been the form of the Royals who come into this match equal on points with the misfiring Kings.
The Royals have drafted in the in-form Tabraiz Shamsi as a replacement for Andrew Tye and New Zealander Glenn Phillips who comes in for Jofra Archer.
Punjab have also swapped a paceman for a wrist-spinner with Adil Rashid replacing Jhye Richardson.
Verdict: Royals win 21/20
Neither side has shot the lights out, but the Royals certainly look in better shape coming into this one.
