The Indian Premier League has followed a certain pattern in the early going, even if the tournament favourites haven’t had it all their own way.
The Chennai Super Kings have proven very tough to beat throughout the campaign – and they dominate the log standings.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Royal Challengers Bangalore have struggled and achieved just one win to date.
Friday 19 April
Eden Gardens, Kolkata (16:30)
Kolkata Knight Riders 67/100
Tie 35/1
Royal Challengers Bangalore 5/4
The Knight Riders of Kolkata will start their match against the Royal Challengers Bangalore as firm favourites. This is as much about KKR’s great form as it is about RCB’s dismal run.
AB de Villiers has been in stunning touch for the Royal Challengers, but they have not been able to turn his runs into victory.
When these sides met earlier in the competition, RCB looked like they would take the honours when they posted a score of 203, but KKR managed to haul that target in thanks to a brilliant cameo from Andre Russell.
In their last outing, RCB were pipped by the Mumbai Indians after a bowling performance that at times lacked the necessary quality.
The Knight Riders are also looking to bounce back from defeat. In fact, they have lost three on the bounce, threatening to derail a great start to the season.
Verdict: The Knight Riders should get it done.
Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur (12:30)
Rajasthan Royals
Tie
Mumbai Indians
The Rajasthan Royals haven’t been able to hit on a winning combination too often this season, managing just two wins so far.
The Mumbai Indians, however, are in the running for a play-off spot – and look like one of the teams shaping up for a good run at the IPL crown.
Jasprit Bumrah has found his rhythm as the tournament has gone on, while the balance of the batting looks rock solid with Quinton de Kock and Rohit Sharma opening the batting.
The Royals aren’t quite sure of their best combination and rested former Aussie skipper Steve Smith last time out.
Jos Buttler has been the standout for the Royals, who have also been treated to some of the magic of all-rounder Jofra Archer.
Verdict: The Mumbai Indians to triumph.
Feroz Shah Kotla Ground, Delhi (16:30)
Delhi Capitals
Tie
Kings XI Punjab
The season could go either way for these two teams, which have reputations as IPL also-rans, and both will be eager to put a win on the board at this crucial stage.
The Capitals and the Kings XI have hovered in or around the play-off spots for much of this campaign.
It has been the bowling attack that has fired the Capitals into contention for IPL glory. It is led by the Proteas’ Kagiso Rabada, who holds the purple cap of the tournaments leading wicket-taker.
The Kings XI rely heavily on their openers Lokesh Rahul and Chris Gayle to give them the kind of starts they need to get over the line.
Last time out for the Kings XI, they were caught off guard by an injury to a bowler and Mandeep Singh had to send down an over of his military medium pace.
Rishabh Pant has impacted the game with the bat for the Capitals, even as he missed out on India’s World Cup squad.
Verdict: The Capitals to edge this one.
Sunday 21 April
Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad (12:30)
Sunrisers Hyderabad
Tie
Kolkata Knight Riders
The Sunrisers Hyderabad bounced back from defeat to the Capitals to knock over a Mahendra Singh Dhoni-less CSK last time out, powered by IPL rookie Jonny Bairstow.
The Englishman has taken to the T20 showpiece like a duck to water – and formed a formidable partnership with Australian David Warner at the top of the order.
The Knight Riders have a short turnaround time after their meeting with RCB on Friday. KKR have their own potent opening pair in Chris Lynn and pinch-hitter Sunil Narine, who can take the contest away from any team.
The pitches start to become a little more unpredictable at this stage of the competition so teams will need to be quick to assess conditions.
The Knight Riders chased down a target of 182 the last time these sides met at Eden Gardens earlier this season.
Verdict: Sunrisers to continue their good form.
M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru (16:30)
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Tie
Chennai Super Kings
Top versus bottom concludes the weekend’s action in the IPL, as the Chennai Super Kings travel to the Chinnaswamy stadium to tackle the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
RCB are playing for little more than their pride, but CSK are very much the tournament favourites after a great start.
CSK rested Dhoni in the defeat to the Sunrisers, raising the first real concerns of a campaign where they have been largely untroubled.
Proteas captain Faf du Plessis and leg-spinner Imran Tahir are at the heart of CSK’s successes alongside India veterans Dhoni and Suresh Raina.
While Virat Kohli and de Villiers have still looked great at the crease, the balance of the RCB side is totally out whack and they can’t seem to get over the line.
Verdict: It has to be the Chennai Super Kings.
Written by @JonhenryWilson
