IPL Betting: Delhi Daredevils v Pune Warriors India

"Delhi at 1.715/7 look too short to me in these circumstances. Home advantage is no advantage if you’ve never played there either! The flip side of that is that at 2.3411/8 Pune are too generously priced, so represent the value bet"

The bottom two sides in the Indian Premier League meet, but that doesn't mean that there is no value to be had in the market on this game. Richard O'Hagan explains...

Delhi Daredevils v Pune Warriors India
Sunday 28 April, 15:30 BST
Live on ITV4 and itv.com

Delhi Daredevils

The question on everyone's lips this year has been 'Where did it all go wrong for Delhi?'. In reality, though, that question ought to be more along the lines of 'When is it ever likely to go right for Delhi?'. At the halfway stage of IPL 2013 they are rooted at the foot of the table with just one win from their eight games. They don't have a batsman in the top ten runscorers or a bowler who averages more than one wicket per game. Only three batsmen have passed fifty in the competition so far, only tailender Morne Morkel has a strike rate of over 150.00 and Umukt Chand, touted as the best young batsman in India, has an average of 7.66. It is easy to see why Delhi languish at the foot of the table but hard to see what they can do to redress the balance over the second half of the competition. Delhi have shuffled and shuffled their line up like an amnesiac croupier this season, but to no avail. There's a good chance that they'll give a second outing to Ben Rohrer, who was one of the standouts of this year's Big Bash in Australia.

Pune Warriors India

With Pune, the question is almost the opposite, not so much a case of 'When is this team going to start winning?' as 'How on earth has this team managed to win two games?'. Make no mistake about it, Pune are a shambles. They've not only dropped their captain, they've dropped his original replacement as well. In their last game they were flayed by Bangalore, who ran up a record score for any T20 game on the back of Chris Gayle's T20 record score of 175*. They were dealt a huge blow this week when Marlon Samuels became their second overseas player to drop out of the competition due to injury (Australian captain Michael Clarke being the first) and although he has only been fit enough to play two games anyway the psychological blow to an already struggling team is impossible to overlook. This might now be the moment for them to introduce two other overseas players who haven't seen action so far. New Zealander Kane Williamson would introduce some steel at the top of the batting order, whist South African left armer Wayne Parnell offers options with both bat and ball. Either would be preferable to Mitchell Marsh, who has struggled so badly this year that it is amazing that only people in Pune cannot see it.

Venue and Conditions

This will be the first game that Delhi have played in the International Cricket Stadium in Raipur, so there is no past history to go on other than that scoring does tend to be hard at newer venues, no matter where in the world they are. Temperatures could be as high as 43 degrees during the day, but a drop of over 20 degrees is not unheard of in the evening here. That sort of drop can lead to a heavy dew, which usually favours the team bowling second if they can keep the ball dry enough.

Match Odds

Deciding between these two is a bit like the famous Samuel Johnson saying about lice and fleas. Picking between two bad teams at a new venue is tricky. Delhi at 1.715/7 look too short to me in these circumstances. Home advantage is no advantage if you've never played there either! The flip side of that is that at 2.3411/8 Pune are too generously priced, so represent the value bet.

Top Delhi Batsman

David Warner is Delhi's leading batsman in this year's IPL with 222 runs. Virender Sehwag, in turn, has a fearsome reputation but age has diminished him. Both of these two will be short odds just on name alone. The man to look for as a value bet, therefore, is captain Mahela Jayawardene. He's made 197 runs this year - good enough for 15th overall - without really standing out and he's under added pressure this time out because he is now the only overseas captain of a side not to have dropped themselves. That is just the kind of thing he thrives upon, though, and the presence of those two big hitters at the top of the order mean that you should be able to back him at around 4.67/2.

Top Pune Batsman

Picking a top Pune batsman is actually a lot easier, because only Aarom Finch has been in any sort of batting form for them. There have been odd flashes from the likes of Robin Uthappa, Steve Smith and even Luke Wright, but on consistency alone Finch is the best bet here, even at only 4.03/1.

Recommended Bet

Back Pune Warriors India at 2.3411/8 to win

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IPL Betting: Delhi Daredevils vs Kings XI Punjab

"If the points table is any sort of guide, Kings XI must represent some trading value at 2.56/4 away to a side that lost it's first six matches...most sides trade shorter than this at some stage of T20 matches so Gilchrist and co must be the pick as a back-to-lay."

Back to lay Kings XI Punjab @ 2.56/4

Despite being among the lesser lights of this year's IPL, both Delhi and Punjab both pulled off impressive run chases to win their last match. Paul Krishnamurty argues that in this battle to retain momentum, the betting value lies in backing the outsiders... 

Kings XI Punjab vs Delhi Daredevils
Start Time: BST (15:30)
TV: Live on ITV and itv.com

Delhi Daredevils 

At last Delhi have a win under their belt, thanks to a magnificent burst from Virender Sehwag, that many of us doubted he could still produce. The market and most commentators felt Mumbai had set a stiff target of 162 in their match on Sunday, but in chasing it down with three overs to spare, Sehwag demonstrated that almost anything is possible when he clicks. Whether that was a one-off or the start of a renaissance, however, remains an open question. They remain an ageing team too dependent on big-hitters in their top order but at least confidence should be on the rise, 

Kings XI Punjab

There are obvious similarities between Punjab's fortunes and today's opponents. Like Delhi, they upset the odds on Sunday with a superb run chase, led by Mandeep Singh and David Miller. As with Sehwag, their pinch-hitting opener Adam Gilchrist looks well past his best. Nevertheless, a couple of unlikely victories have propelled Kings XI to fifth place in the points table and very much in the race for a play-off spot.

First Innings Runs

In the wake of Sunday's boundary-fest, there may well be a good betting angle for backing unders at Feroz Shah Kotla. During Mumbai's innings and the previous match here, this looked like a slow pitch on which anything above 150 would be competitive. That may well still turn out to be the case and Sehwag's remarkable innings the exception. Both of these sides have crumbled three times already this season, with Delhi recording totals of 128, 114 and 83; Punjab 138, 124 and 123. After Sunday, I expect 150+ will be available to lay around 1.758/11 and 140+ around 1.351/3. Both represent solid value.

Match odds

If the points table is any sort of guide, Kings XI must represent some trading value at 2.56/4 away to a side that lost it's first six matches. In response to one performance, almost wholly reliant on Sehwag, the odds are back to their pre-tournament levels, which seems like an over-reaction. I don't have strong faith in Punjab, but most sides trade shorter than this at some stage of T20 matches so Gilchrist and co must be the pick as a back-to-lay.

Top Delhi batsman

Delhi's fragile middle order wasn't tested against Mumbai and, until they demonstrate improvement, I'm still only prepared to consider the leading trio of Sehwag, captain Mahela Jayawardene and David Warner. Regardless of Sunday's heroics, Sehwag remains extremely unreliable so I'm sticking with Warner at around 4.57/2.

Top Punjab batsman

Against Pune, David Miller's fine unbeaten 80 proved there is more to the Punjab middle-order than David Hussey, who for once didn't even get a bat. The Aussie was relegated to number six in favour of big-hitters to try and beat a daunting run-rate, but will normally arrive at number four. Hussey remains their key batsman and always a fair bet around the 5.04/1 mark.

Recommended bet

Back Kings XI Punjab @ 2.56/4 (Back to lay)

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IPL Betting: Delhi Daredevils v Rajasthan Royals

"Since winning the very first IPL under Shane Warne’s stewardship, the Royals have been annual underachievers in this competition but they have a strong line up that suggests they should improve on last season."

The Daredevils play their second game of IPL 6 and while they may be clear favourites, Rajasthan Royals should provide a tough challenge to a home side who are clearly missing some key players, says Matt Harris

Delhi Daredevils v Rajasthan Royals
Start Time: 11:30 BST
TV: Live on ITV4 and ITV.com

Delhi Daredevils

Having won the Champions League T20 just a few months ago, Mahela Jayawardene's side were highly fancied to lift their first IPL trophy but a disastrous prelude to the tournament robbed them of key batsmen Kevin Pietersen and Jesse Ryder, leaving the decision to sell Ross Taylor to Pune an even more bizarre one.

Worse was to follow as Virender Sehwag pulled out of the opening match with KKR due to a back spasm while Morne Morkel, leading wicket take in 2012, is involved in the knockout stages of South Africa's domestic Ram Slam.

Jayawardene has said that he expects Sehwag to return for Saturday's game but Morkel is playing in Sunday's Ram Slam final so the hosts are still looking depleted ahead of this vital clash.

Rajasthan Royals

Since winning the very first IPL under Shane Warne's stewardship, the Royals have been annual underachievers in this competition but they have a strong line up that suggests they should improve on last season when they finished seventh in the group table.

40 year old Rahul Dravid captains and coaches a squad that contains quality batters such as Shane Watson, Brad Hodge and Ajinkya Ranhane. In the bowling department, Shaun Tait's radar needs to be switched on and if the Aussie can find his range then he can lead a competent attack that includes Sreesanth, Fidel Edwards and the veteran Brad Hogg.

Age and fitness could be an issue for Rajasthan over the course of a very long tournament but they should certainly be fresh enough to upset the odds in their tournament opener.

Venue and Conditions

The Feroz Shah Kotla stadium is known for producing dry and dusty first class pitches and while the T20 track isn't going to turn square from ball one, runs are traditionally hard to come by.

2012's IPL proved that a par score is around 150 - 155 so don't expect a run feast in Saturday's contest.

Match Odds

The Daredevils are favourites at 1.654/6 but seem to rely too heavily on Jayawardene, David Warner and a potentially patched up Sehwag. With Johan Botha coming in at number six against KKR, they have a long tail and the Royals look particularly generous at 2.447/5.

Top Delhi Batsman

Skipper Jayawardene stood out from his team mates with a sublime 66 on Wednesday and could be an obvious choice at 3.7511/4 in the Fixed Odds market but if the Daredevils can prevent the Royals from taking an early wicket, David Warner should be able to play with more freedom. Warner looks the better bet here at odds of 3.7511/4. Note - these are Fixed Odds prices; better prices may be available on the Exchange nearer start-time.

Top Rajasthan Batsman

Shane Watson will attract a lot of money in this market at 3.7511/4 (on Fixed Odds) but fellow Aussie Brad Hodge has been in superb form in his freelance T20 activities over the last twelve months. After prolific displays in the Big Bash and Bangladesh Premier League, Hodge is the better option at odds of 5.04/1.

Recommended bet: Back Rajasthan Royals to win at 2.447/5.

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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: Kolkata Knight Riders v Delhi Daredevils

Indian Premier League - IPL / Andrew Hughes / 04 April 2012 / Leave a Comment

Kolkata will be too strong for Delhi

"The problem for the Daredevils is that virtually all of their stars are absent for this opening game..."

Andrew Hughes thinks a weakened Delhi team will be no match for Kolkata in Thursday's IPL game.

April 5, Kolkata v Delhi, Eden Gardens, Live on ITV 4, 15:30 BST

Team News
Kolkata have a full squad to choose from and their only dilemma is whether to play both Brendon McCullum and Jacques Kallis at the top of the order. Ryan ten Doeschate and Shakib Al Hasan are in competition for two middle order spots and if Brett Lee needs a rest after his Caribbean exertions, young South African quick Marchant de Lange could take the fourth overseas player slot.

Delhi strengthened their middle order batting at the player auction in February, but Kevin Pietersen, Mahela Jayawardene and Ross Taylor are all unavailable for this one. They will also be without opener David Warner and young fast bowler Varun Aaron. Doug Bracewell and Morne Morkel will lead the attack whilst Aaron Finch should open alongside Virender Sehwag.

Venue and Conditions
Pitches at Eden Gardens are generally slow but vary in how much assistance they give the spinners. Last year Rajasthan were skittled out for 82 there, but then a few days later Bangalore chased down 175 for the loss of one wicket.

Match Odds
Kolkata are many people's idea of the main challengers to Chennai. Their squad is nicely balanced and largely unaffected by absentees, whilst their fourth place last year was a sign of clear improvement. Delhi had a nightmare in 2011 but have made some shrewd purchases this time round and are unlikely to propping up the table again.

The problem for the Daredevils is that virtually all of their stars are absent for this opening game and their weakened batting line-up will be extremely vulnerable. Backing teams at odds-on can be a risky business in the IPL, but Kolkata's superiority is such that odds of [1.86] about a home win are worth taking.

Top Kolkata Batsman
With the uncertainty over whether Kolkata can accommodate both Kallis and McCullum at the top of the order, it makes sense to stick with captain Gautam Gambhir. An underrated Twenty20 performer, he is good in a run chase or batting first and is a safe betting proposition. He should be backed at [4.5] or better.

Top Delhi Batsman
Virender Sehwag was the top runscorer for Delhi last year and is popular in this market, but at bigger odds, I prefer Venugopal Rao. He was the second highest runscorer for Delhi last time, finishing ahead of David Warner and in this weakened line-up could move up to four or even three in the order. He's worth backing at [7.0]

Recommended Bet
Back Gautam Gambhir to top score for Kolkata at [4.5]

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IPL Betting: Mumbai Indians v Delhi Daredevils

Match Previews / Richard O’Hagan / 06 May 2011 / Leave a Comment

Tendulkar for top bat?

"Tendulkar will go into a game with someone else the favourite to top score in the match."

Richard O'Hagan looks forward to an intriguing contest, with Sachin Tendulkar's Indians trying to regain top spot in the IPL against a Delhi team who seem to be coming into some form at last.

Mumbai
The Indians have led the IPL almost from the outset and have been deserving of that honour. They have won both of their other games this week convincingly, but the loss of wicketkeeper Davy Jacobs to a broken finger will be a blow as it unbalances their batting.

Delhi
Delhi have scrapped their way off the bottom of the table and now have an outside chance of reaching the semi-finals. Virender Sehwag has been in blistering form, scoring 214 runs in the last week and taking the orange cap from Tendulkar.

Match Odds
Mumbai thrashed Delhi when these two teams met at the Kotla and it is hard to see any result other than an Indians win. They are simply too consistent and have too many weapons at their disposal, whereas Delhi have yet to find a settled side or a balanced bowling attack. They are becoming the very definition of a one man side, such is their reliance upon Sehwag. Back Mumbai to win at [1.6]

Top Scorer odds
Unusually, Tendulkar will go into a game with someone else the favourite to top score in the match. But although Sehwag has been in such great form, the Little Master's power is such that his Indian colleagues tend to underperform when up against him. Back him to top score at odds of around [4.7]

Best Bet
Sachin Tendulkar to top score at around [4.7]

Its crunch time for both of these under performers. Sunday's second game is a battle of the basement as the ailing Punjab take on the wilting Warriors.

Kochi are two from two and Bangalore have won their last four. A couple of the IPL's form teams go head to head in Sunday's opening match.

Bangalore are looking for a fourth consecutive victory to move into the top four and remain on course for a place in the knockout stages of the competition......

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IPL Betting: Kochi Tuskers Kerala v Delhi Daredevils

Indian Premier League - IPL / Richard O’Hagan / 29 April 2011 / Leave a Comment

Mahela Jayawardene needs to ensure his Kochi side become more consistent

"This game is going to turn on whichever team recovers faster from their terrible midweek game. For Kochi the big problem is largely one of consistency."

A match between two of the bottom three sides might not look very attractive, but with both sides only a couple of wins away from the playoff places, there is plenty of value to be had...if you know where to look.

Kochi

No-one expected the two new teams to find it easy in their first IPL season. For Kochi it has been a truly Jekyll and Hyde experience, with bad losses alternating with convincing victories. In Wednesday's capitulation to Deccan they managed to hold their opponents to a score of 129-7 and still lose. They have to hope that will be the last of the weak batting performances.

Delhi

That Delhi occupy bottom spot in the entire IPL is a mystery to everyone. No side which contains the world's most feared one day batsman in Virender Sehwag should struggle, and two wins out of seven simply isn't enough for a franchise used to success.

Match Odds

This game is going to turn on whichever team recovers faster from their terrible midweek game. For Kochi the big problem is largely one of consistency. Delhi, though, seem to have no idea what their best team is, with Morne Morkel and Agit Agarkar particular looking like weak links. Without any change on Delhi's part, expect Kochi to win comfortably at odds of 2.14.

Kochi Opening Partnership odds

The game against Deccan was the first time that the opening partnership of Brendon McCullum and Mahela Jayawardene has failed. Prior to this, they had put on over 30 every time. Given the bowling problems that Delhi have had, they appear good value to make at least 40 runs at a price of [2.4]

Best Bet

Kochi Tuskers Kerala to win at 2.14

With Kolkata second in the table, and Punjab sixth (but having played up to three games less than any other side) this is a fascinating match-up between two teams who should be in play-off contention at the end of the...

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IPL Betting: Delhi Daredevils v Kolkata Knight Riders

Indian Premier League - IPL / Tobias Gourlay / 28 April 2011 / Leave a Comment

Delhi captain Virender Sehwag must keep one eye on the pitch and the other on his old friend Gautam Gambhir

"Erratic groundsmanship raises a difficulty for ante-post bettors, but in-play punters might still start on Delhi's side"

Kolkata captain Gautam Gambhir has something to prove against the Delhi Daredevils, warns Tobias Gourlay

Delhi Daredevils

Delhi's Irfan Pathan comes up against his brother, big-hitting Yusuf of Kolkata, at a time when both have lots to do to persuade India's national selectors of their merits again.

Kolkata Knight Riders

Gautam Gambhir gets an opportunity to show his old team what they are missing. Eoin Morgan probably won't get an opportunity to show anyone anything - he's been misfiring in the middle order and his overseas berth could go to Brett Lee, who would reinforce a bowling attack that was slayed by Chris Gayle last time out.

Match Odds

Kolkata are [1.87] favourites to win in Delhi, despite losing their last two matches.

The groundsman at the Feroz Shah Kotla has work to do. He turned out a green-top against King's XI Punjab that produced 430 runs in the match. Then he cut the grass short for the visit of Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Sehwag blamed the pitch in part for Tuesday's defeat to RCB. The visitors' match-winner, Delhi-born Virat Kohli, said it was the best he had ever played on at the ground.

Erratic groundsmanship raises a difficulty for ante-post bettors, but in-play punters might still start on Delhi's side. If the hosts bat first, Sehwag and his opening partner, David Warner, need only thrash a few boundaries and the market will panic, bringing the Daredevils in from [2.12]. If they bowl first, Morne Morkel will threaten KKR's top order.

Top Kolkata Batsman

The Knight Riders have not played for almost a week. The overseas batsmen were struggling - Morgan and, increasingly, Jacques Kallis - or unproven - Brad Haddin - but Kallis will go off as favourite to top-score for his team.

Gautam Gambhir, however, looks a much better bet at [5.0], if he comes in at No. 3 again. Kolkata's skipper has beaten his team-mates in two of their last three games and is in good enough form to justify the record-breaking price he fetched at this season's auction.

Best Bet: Back Gautam Gambhir @ [5.0] to be Top Kolkata Batsman

You can now follow Tobias on Twitter: @tobiasgourlay

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