Entertainment, upsets and controversy: That’s all we can really ask for at the start of the tournament and IPL 12 is certainly delivering. We’ve seen some big totals following a dramatic, low-scoring start to the competition and we’ve also witnessed some stunning individual performances.
The table is just starting to take some shape so what does Week 2 have in store?
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The defending champion Chennai Super Kings and the Kolkata Knight Riders currently top the table with two wins each from two games. They are the only sides not to have been beaten so, even at this early stage, that’s put down a marker for the rest of the franchises.
In one piece of injury news, the Mumbai Indians have brought in Alzarri Joseph to replace Adam Milne. Mumbai is one of those sides looking for an improvement this week.
Thursday Showdown
Week 2 kicks off with two teams who remain winless at this stage. RCB fans will be concerned after their side made just 70 against Chennai on an admittedly poor Chepauk surface while Mumbai allowed the Delhi Capitals to post in excess of 200 on Sunday.
The sportsbooks can’t split these two. A number of outlets are quoting the same -111 win price for both teams so where will this be won and lost? The key lies in two weak bowling attacks and whichever batting side exploits that will take the points.
Frantic Friday
Also winless at this point in proceedings are the Sunrisers and Rajasthan, who face off in Hyderabad on Friday. SRH was looking good at the halfway point in its Sportsbook match but went down to Kolkata’s batting depth, while it was a lack of depth that saw the Royals fall short in their run chase against KXIP.
The result market is much clearer for this one with Sunrisers favorites at -151, followed by Rajasthan at +125. The Royals really should be playing better than this and with such talent – Rahane, Stokes, Buttler, Smith, etc. – they can upset the odds if they play to their full potential.
Weekend Delights
Weekends always give us a feast of IPL cricket and we have four matches to enjoy across Saturday and Sunday. It all starts with the Mumbai Indians making the trip to Mohali to take on Kings XI Punjab.
Prices are not out for that game as yet as Mumbai will be playing on Thursday but Rohit Sharma’s team should start as favorites against a Kings XI side that is too reliant on Chris Gayle at the top of the order.
We do have a full set of odds available for the second of Saturday’s matches as the Delhi Capitals host table-toppers the Kolkata Knight Riders. Delhi should be more of a threat this year and the addition of Shikhar Dhawan has made them a more effective batting unit. KKR, unlike most franchises, has this resilience that sees them win games from seemingly hopeless positions.
It helps when you have the devastating hitting of Andre Russell in your side and Kolkata looks the best bet here at -138 as opposed to the Capitals’ +110.
That’s the last set of odds we have available right now but the cricket will continue through Sunday. Kicking things off are the Sunrisers, who remain at home as Royal Challengers Bangalore make the trip.
This could be a tight market but the key to this game is Hyderabad’s bowling attack, and in particular Rashid Khan, who will be targeting the key wickets of Virat Kohli and AB De Villiers.
The weekend concludes with the Chennai Super Kings against the Rajasthan Royals. This will be CSK’s first game since Tuesday, March 26, so MS Dhoni’s men should be nice and rested while the Royals will be vulnerable if they remain winless as they travel to Chennai.
The Tailenders
Week 2 of IPL 12 closes out with three further matches from Monday through to Wednesday. Starting it all off are Kings XI Punjab vs the Delhi Capitals and in previous years, these sides have been battling it out to avoid the wooden spoon.
Things look more positive this year, particularly for the Capitals, who look to have one of the better batting lineups in the competition, and while this may be a tight market, we’re backing Delhi to come through.
On Tuesday, the Rajasthan Royals host Royal Challengers Bangalore and if our predictions are correct, both sides will be desperate for points to lift them off the bottom of the table. Wednesday then closes out the week as the Mumbai Indians welcome the Chennai Super Kings. They are the two most successful franchises in the history of the competition and we’re expecting a tight and titanic battle at the Wankhede.
