IPL Trader’s Tips: Andre Russell to pile more misery on Royal Challengers Bangalore?
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Our cricket expert looks ahead to the upcoming IPL action
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s win over the Delhi Capitals yesterday means we’ve now got three teams on six points at the top of the Indian Premier League.
And Kolkata Knight Riders could join them too if they beat rock-bottom Royal Challengers Bangalore this afternoon.
Our cricket trader Andrew Harriott gave us the pre-match lowdown, as well as his thoughts on both of Saturday’s fixtures…
Coral News: It’s four losses from four for Royal Challengers this season. What’s gone wrong for them?
Andrew Harriott: RCB are viewed as the perennial underachievers, mainly because they have Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers.
However, it is their bowling that has always been the issue. Once again, bar Yuzvendra Chahal the bowling has been poor, but to compound their problems they haven’t looked like they have a plan with the batting, trying at least three different opening combos already.
Successful T20 teams are generally those who have a settled XI who all know their roles. They may yet stumble on the formula, but I wouldn’t count on it.
CN: Do you see any reasons for optimism against an Andre Russell-powered Knight Riders side?
AH: Kolkata have started well, Russell in particular. They have bowling depth and are hitting the most Sixes of any of the teams so far. They now go to the Chinnaswamy stadium, the smallest venue in the IPL, as 4/5 favourites. I reckon the home fans should take their tin hats and hope Kolkata’s powerful batting line don’t do too much damage!
CN: This is the first of three consecutive away games for Jacques Kallis’ team. What shape do you think they’ll be in at the end of that run?
AH: I think the amount of travel the teams do in the IPL can be underestimated. Bangalore to Jaipur to Chennai over four days will be a challenge. It must be an advantage for Chennai Super Kings to play them at the end of that run.
CN: Kuldeep Yadav helped the Knight Riders come back to take Capitals to Super Over last time out, are you expecting another big bowling display from him?
AH: Kuldeep is a fantastic talent. He is our 5/2 favourite to be Top Kolkata Wicket-Taker. How many wickets he takes is slightly dependant on the opposition’s approach. They may choose to attack elsewhere and look to score a run a ball off Kuldeep. If they choose to take him on, they may be in trouble. It will be fun to watch Kohli’s approach.
CN: What markets have caught your eye for this one?
AH: Our YourCall markets have some interesting selections. Andre Russell is a short price to hit 3 or more Sixes, but the ground is so small it may not be able to contain Dre Russ in full beast mode. You would think Kohli must perform well for RCB to win, we are 10/1 for him to score 75+ runs and RCB to win the match.
CN: Looking ahead to Saturday’s action, we’ve got a tasty clash between Chennai and Kings XI Punjab in store. How do you see that game shaping up?
AH: We have had a good pitch and a very bad one so far in Chennai. That will dictate the action and how much the spinners come into play. I couldn’t put you off backing Ravi Ashwin at 10/3 for Top Kings XI bowler, or Ravi Jadeja for Chennai at 7/2. Will Sam Curran open the batting again? If so 12/1 for Man of the Match could look a big price.
CN: How will Mumbai Indians fare against Sunrisers Hyderabad after their important win against Chennai?
Different conditions in Hyderabad to Mumbai will mean Mumbai won’t be able to rely on a big finish to their innings, which made such a difference at the Wankhede. They are up against the IPL’s best bowling attack and how they fare in the middle overs against the Afghan duo of Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan will be crucial. We are 5/1 for the Afghan spin twins to take five Wickets combined.
Click here for the latest IPL odds.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
