IPL Betting: Chennai Super Kings v Royal Challengers Bangalore

"It is clear that any team is going to have trouble restricting Chennai. Even if the top order fail, CSK can call upon Dhoni, Jadeja and Bravo from number five, which brings almost any target within range and allows everyone to attack."

The teams currently rated second and third favourites to win the IPL square up for Saturday's second match. Paul Krishnamurty argues that, with home advantage, punters should stick with the reigning champions...

Chennai Super Kings v Royal Challengers Bangalore  
Start Time: BST (15:30)
TV: Live on ITV and itv.com

Chennai Super Kings

After surprisingly falling short in a run chase against Mumbai, Chennai got their 2013 campaign moving with a facile victory against Kings XI Punjab. Today's opposition will be much tougher but, after the way Murali Vijay and Mike Hussey chased down the target, it is clear that any team is going to have trouble restricting Chennai. Even if the top order fail, CSK can call upon Dhoni, Jadeja and Bravo from number five, which brings almost any target within range and allows everyone to attack. For that reason, CSK are generally a better bet when batting second, although a bowling attack spearheaded by Dirk Nannes and Ravi Ashwin is capable of doing damage on their own.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

With three wins from their first four matches, RCB are well set for another top-four play-off place. This away trip to the champions, however, is easily their hardest task to date. Now AB De Villiers has had a few days to settle in, Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli now have the back-up to chase down almost any total. With the ball, Vinay Kumar has been one of the stars of the tournament so far, changing the course of a couple of matches by bowling economically at the death.

First Innings Runs

Predicting the first innings total at Chennai is never straightforward. Some very high totals have been seen here, twice over 200 last season, but they owed as much to the hosts' brilliance as the ground. Five of the last 11 first innings here were under 150 and the pitch against Mumbai was pretty slow. Because both batting line-ups are so strong, I could see the market being pitched too high and if so, laying 160 or more could be worth an interest.

Match odds

These two teams could provide the perfect advert for IPL with some spectacular hitting. If it boils down to big totals, I would prefer Chennai because they bat so deep. Even Ashwin, coming at nine, is a dangerous slogger. Equally, if as expected, this is a low scoring match, the Chennai bowling attack would be slightly preferred. Dirk Nannes, for example, is well capable of stifling Gayle's early impact.

Top Chennai batsman

MS Dhoni and Mike Hussey have claimed top bat honours in CSK's two matches to date, so perhaps today it will be Suresh Raina's turn from this all-star line-up. Batting at number three and prolific in past IPLs, Raina is always a solid bet around the 4.67/2 mark.
Top Bangalore batsman

This market has been won twice each by Gayle and Kohli so far, but today it might be worth looking further down the order. Nannes will present a serious new-ball threat so it may fall upon the middle-order to rescue Bangalore. I'll go for sometimes number five and big finisher Moises Henriques at 11.010/1.

Recommended bet

Back Chennai @ 1.84/5

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IPL Betting: Delhi Daredevils v Chennai Super Kings

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.

Match Odds

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].

Delhi Top Batsman

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.

Chennai Top Batsman

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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IPL Betting: Chennai Superkings v Mumbai Indians

Indian Premier League - IPL / Ed Hawkins / 03 April 2012 / Leave a Comment

Main men. Ms Dhoni and Suresh Raina are incredibly consistent peformers for Chennai

"With the toss bias in mind, it is obvious that the outsiders in this game are the value. Oddly, the outsiders are Chennai at 2.00."

The first match of the 2012 edition sees defending champions Chennai host the ever-fancied Mumbai Indians, now led by Harbhajan Singh, Both teams look very strong but the key to this match is the toss, says Ed Hawkins.

Chennai

With a record of runners-up, semi-finalists, champions, champions in the four editions of IPL, Chennai are the team to beat. In a format with a reputation for unpredictability, their dominance is extraordinary.

MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina are the key men and they are in place once more for a tantalising opener against the Mumbai Indians. Dhoni has missed only three matches in IPL history and Raina is an ever-present.

Chennai will be without Ben Hilfenhaus and Michael Hussey who are on Australia duty. Ravi Jadeja, who Chennai spent their entire purse on in the auction, is an adequate replacement as an all-action all-rounder.

Mumbai

Early turmoil for Mumbai, who are yet to win an IPL. Sachin Tendulkar has stepped down as captain and will hand over to Harbhajan Singh. Harbhajan led Mumbai to Champions League glory last season when Tendulkar was unavailable.

Otherwise Mumbai are settled. They will be able to call on their entire squad throughout their campaign as none of their players have international commitments. This includes Kieron Pollard and Lasith Malinga.

Venue and pitch conditions

In the 2011 edition of the IPL there were nine matches played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Eight of them were won by the side batting first. That is a hefty bias. The average first-innings score was 167.

Match odds

Chennai are an awesome prospect on their home turf and it will take a mighty effort from Mumbai to get off to a winning start. Or they could just win the toss.

With the toss bias in mind, it is obvious that the outsiders in this game are the value. Oddly, the outsiders are Chennai at [2.00]. The market is wowed by Mumbai's ability to field a team of internationals, clearly. They are narrow jollies at [1.98].

Top Chennai batsman

Dhoni averages almost 40 in IPL, which is remarkable. He has 1,425 runs over its course and is likely to be priced around [7.00]. Raina has scored 1,813 at 36.26 and is the leading runscorer overall. He is expected to go off at [4.50].

Top Mumbai batsman

All eyes on Tendulkar, of course. The Little Master will open the batting and will be around [4.00] for honours. Watch out, though, for Richard Levi who will be his opening partner. Levi is the South African who against New Zealand in Hamilton made the fastest century in Twenty20 cricket. He will be around [4.50].

Recommended bet

Back the team batting first

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IPL Betting: Kolkata Knight Riders v Chennai Super Kings

Indian Premier League - IPL / Richard O’Hagan / 06 May 2011 / Leave a Comment

Mike Hussey has been a big hit in the IPL

"The Super Kings have won their last four games and are the form team of the IPL right now."

With both teams tied for second place in the table, this should be a tense, close, contest with no margin for error with the winner going top of the IPL, if only for a few hours.

Kolkata
Kolkata were surprisingly beaten by Kochi on Thursday, missing out on the change to go two points clear of Chennai in second place. They will be pleased that Eoin Morgan found some form at last and will be anxious to make the most of him before he returns to England.

Chennai
The Super Kings have won their last four games and are the form team of the IPL right now. The form of Mike Hussey, in particular, has been key to this and they will be looking for another big innings from 'Mr Cricket' to keep the momentum going and take second place from their opponents

Match Odds
The two sides met in the opening match of the tournament, with Chennai running out narrow victors. They didn't have Hussey then, though. Kolkata, on the other hand, didn't have Brett Lee, who has been a star with the ball for them this year. The duel between the two Australians will be key and whoever wins that will see their side win the game. On form alone I favour Chennai at [1.9]

Top Scorer odds
Hussey has crept up to third in the run scorer table with 327, despite having played only seven games. His average of 65.40 is the best in the IPL, ahead of such luminaries as Tendulkar and Sehwag. Expect him to top score in this game at odds of around [4.5].

Best Bet
Chennai Super Kings to win at [1.9]

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IPL Betting: Kochi v Chennai

Indian Premier League - IPL / Ed Hawkins / 18 April 2011 / Leave a Comment

Can Brendon McCullum put together back-to-back scores?

"It may not have escaped your notice that 11 of the 15 matches so far have been won by the side batting second"

Ed Hawkins assesses potential betting angles as these two sides meet in Kochi on Monday...

Kochi
Mahela Jayawardene's team pulled off a surprise victory against Mumbai last time out and, having lost their first two, it would be a surprise if they made changed a winning formula. A flu to fast bowler Sreesanth forced their hand but they looked a more balanced side with Sri Lankan Thisara Perrera. Muttiah Muralitharan and VVS Laxman may well have to miss out again.

Chennai
The Super Kings promoted Australian Mike Hussey to opener for their match against Bangalore and the move paid off as he top scored with 83. Still, if they repeat the tactic, Chennai appear to have a soft middle-order with only MS Dhoni who would cause concerns for Kochi. Chennai would like to see a few more runs from Suresh Raina, who just hasn't got going. Tim Southee's death bowling has been excellent.

Match odds
It may not have escaped your notice that 11 of the 15 matches so far have been won by the side batting second. It is an extraordinary trend which, frankly, is difficult to explain. Ordinarily, slow and low Indian pitches can make it difficult to chase but over such a decent study period and variety of venues it is probably just a quirk.

A shame then that we have nothing more soild to hang our hat. If there was an obvious reason for the bias we could stick up Kochi at [2.56] to beat [1.60] Chennai. The price about the hosts is a terrific trading opportunity but you should know that already - it is the best way to play IPL.

Top batsman
Kochi opened with Brendon McCullum and Jayawardene against Mumbai but the former may be out of the firing line if they bat first. Parthiv Patel could be promoted. McCullum, who top scored in that game, is expected to go off at [4.00] but we are not sure he can put back-to-back scores together so he looks worth a lay. Ravi Jadeja has found some form so look out for him. For Chennai, Hussey is the correct favourite but his fellow opener Murali Vijay could be underrated.

Best bet: Lay B McCullum for top Kochi bat @ [4.00]

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IPL Betting: Chennai Superkings v Kolkata Knight Riders

Indian Premier League - IPL / Jamie "The Pacman" Pacheco / 06 April 2011 / Leave a Comment

Kings of the crease. Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni are two of the best batsmen in the IPL.

"Gambhir will open or bat at three and is clearly in good nick after scoring 97 in the World Cup final. Go with the skipper."

Defending champions Chennai, led by the iceman MS Dhoni take on a new-look Kolkata. There will be big hits, a few giggles and a load of adverts. It's the start of the IPL.

Chennai

Less than a week after captaining India to the World Cup MS Dhoni is back leading the Chennai Superkings. His first task will be to decide which four overseas players to pick for the opener. His task is made slightly easier by the fact Dwayne Bravo is unlikely to be fit. That means having a capable all-rounder to replace him is paramount, making Albie Morkel a shoo-in; the same goes for the irrepressible Mike Hussey. Tim Southee was the third highest wicket-taker at the World Cup with 18 so he clearly likes bowling in the sub-continent and will probably also play. Chennai's batting is as ever very strong so the fourth slot may go to a bowler, possibly Nuwan Kulasekara.

Kolkata Knight Riders

The first thing Kolkata needed to do was get rid of the selfish and self-obcessed Sourav Ganguly, as both captain and player. Now that they've done that and replaced him with Gautam Gambhir they might actually have a chance of making the play-offs. Brett Lee and Jacques Kallis are almost certain to play and the same goes for Brad Haddin though it remains to be seen whether he'll open or bat in the middle-order. Betting.betfair columnist Ryan ten Doeschate may fill the fourth slot ahead of Shakib-al Hasan and Eoin Morgan, who had a relatively poor World Cup.

Match Odds

It's hard to make a case against Chennai. They're at home and are the most successful team since the start of the IPL after finishing runners-up (2008), semi-finalists (2009) and winners (2010). They have the best captain in this format and three of the best players Indian players in this format in Suresh Raina, Murali Vijay and again, Dhoni. The best option may be to go with Chennai to win at [1.74] before the toss because if they bat first and start well they'll be [1.4] before you know it.

Kolkata Top Batsman

Haddin scores quickly enough but can be a little reckless whilst Kallis has a nasty habit of scoring slowly early on and then getting out just as he starts to accelerate in this format. Yusuf Pathan is an outrageous talent but he's what us cricket fans call a "daisy" - some days he does, some days he doesn't - and will probably bat too low anyway. Gambhir will open or bat at three and is clearly in good nick after scoring 97 in the World Cup final. Go with the skipper.

Best Bet:

Back Gautam Gambhir to be top Kolkata run scorer at [4.5]

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