Indian Premier League - IPL 
/ Richard O’Hagan / 09 April 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Ravindra Jadeja is starting to justify his price tag
"Picking a winner from two teams who have been inconsistent as these two is a difficult call, but the way that CSK beat a poor Deccan side was so compellingly ruthless it would be wise to back them at odds of 1.64."
Defending champions Chennai have blown hot and cold in their first two matches of this year's edition and the same can be said of Delhi. But Chennai are the more consistent performers and in Ravindra Jadeja have a player who can have a big impact on this year's edition, says Richard O'Hagan.
Delhi
With one resounding victory and one crushing defeat to their name so far, it is hard to know what to make of this year's incarnation of the Daredevils. Morne Morkel has been a star with the ball, picking up five wickets so far. Aaron Finch, overlooked by Australia again, has been consistent at the top of the order, whilst Irfan Pathan has scored 66 runs at a strike rate of 135.0. Others, however, failed to keep up with them in both games, with captain Virender Sehwag falling for two soft dismissals in the competition already.
Chennai
The defending champions have had a similarly erratic start to their 2012 campaign, being thumped by Mumbai in the tournament opener but then crushing Deccan by 74 runs in their other game. In the second game Ravindra Jadeja certainly lived up to his tag as the IPL's most expensive player with 48 runs with the bat and then taking 5-16 with the ball, as the Chargers collapsed. Their own captain has been a disappointment, MS Dhoni amassing only 11 runs from two innings so far. South African Albie Morkel has also had a poor couple of games and could be replaced by Sri Lanka's Nuwan Kulasekara.
Venue and conditions
This is the first game of IPL2012 at the Feroz Shah Kotla. Delhi only won one match at home last season and will be hoping to put a stop to that run in this match. A light rain shower or two may affect the game, but play should not be delayed for long.
Picking a winner from two teams who have been inconsistent as these two is a difficult call, but the way that CSK beat a poor Deccan side was so compellingly ruthless it would be wise to back them at odds of [1.82].
With Pathan being rotated about the batting order according to the match circumstances the solid bet is Finch at odds of 4.5 - as an opener he is at least guaranteed to get a knock.
Selecting the leading batsman for a side who have thus far spread whatever runs they have scored among them is hard, but young South African all rounder Faf du Plessis has looked solid in everything except his running between the wickets and struck four sixes in making 39 against Deccan. He should be available at odds of [5.0].
Best Bet
Aaron Finch to top score for Delhi at odds of around [4.0].
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