IPL Trader’s Tips: Who’ll join Mumbai Indians in the playoff final?

Preview for the final games of the 2019 season

Defending IPL champions Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals face each other this afternoon with a place in Sunday’s play-off final against Mumbai Indians at stake.

Table-toppers Mumbai beat Chennai in the first qualifier to seal their place in Sunday’s showpiece match. Now Chennai must pick themselves up and go again against a Delhi side who are looking to reach their first IPL final.

We spoke to our cricket trader Andrew Harriott ahead of the huge clash…

Coral News: First things first, Mumbai Indians are already in Sunday’s final. What has impressed you most about them this season?

Andrew Harriott: Mumbai started a bit slowly but once they found their best line-up they have been impressive, and the best team in the tournament.

Hardik Pandya has been the key for them with wickets and runs. Last year he under-performed with the bat but he has been excellent this year, and India will hope he can continue his all-round form into the World Cup.

CN: A young Delhi side face the experience of Chennai. With little to split them in the table, where could this match be won and lost?

AH: I think Delhi are the stronger team, but they have wobbled in a few run chases this year.

Chennai are proven winners, but have not looked as good as they did last year, and away from home they have been average.

I don’t think they have enough runs coming from top order to win here but they do have a habit of producing on the big occasion.

CN: Delhi’s battling collapsed in both meetings with Chennai this season, does that give CSK the advantage in Hyderabad?  

AH: Delhi have had the strongest homegrown batting in the IPL this year, which is why I thought they would go well.

However, they have lacked a killer instinct in chases and if any team can put you under pressure in the middle and late overs it is Dhoni-led Chennai.

I think they will be hoping for a less spin-friendly surface as that would negate Chennai’s attack which has been the best in the spin department.

CN: What markets have caught your eye for this one?

AH: Delhi are 11/10 to win this match. I think they could be favs and I think they should score more runs in the 1st 6 overs (10/11).

CN: We’re putting you on the spot now. Who do you think will make it through to the final?

AH: Delhi.

CN: How do you think today’s winners should approach the final against Mumbai?

AH: Jasprit Bumrah is possibly the best seam bowler in the world, so whoever plays Mumbai will need to target other bowler’s overs and will need to be positive through the middle.

If they can put Mumbai under pressure and force them to bowl Bumrah before the death overs they can get a competitive total. I fancy Mumbai to win though (4/5 to win the title), and can’t help but feel Rohit Sharma has a big innings coming.

View the latest Chennai Super Kings v Delhi Capitals odds.

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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.