IPL Betting: Pune Warriors v Kolkata Knight Riders

"Last season’s Champions KKR won their opening game so comfortably against Delhi that it seemed certain that Gautam Gambhir’s men would cruise into the top four."

Two sides at the wrong end of the IPL table face off on Thursday and Matt Harris expects the disappointing Knight Riders to restore some pride.

Pune Warriors v Kolkata Knight Riders
Start Time: 15:30 BST
TV: Live on ITV4 and ITV.com

Pune Warriors

Pune are bottom of the IPL pile after twelve games that have yielded just two solitary wins. Incredibly, one of those victories was an emphatic one over league leaders the Super Kings and that is a frustrating indication of what this talented but underperforming squad could have achieved.

One of the issues for the Warriors throughout this competition has been an inability to find a settled team and after skipper Michael Clarke had to withdraw before the tournament had begun, replacement Angelo Mathews took over but his own performances failed to warrant a start.

Unlike other sides, Pune have now tried all their overseas players in an attempt to find a balanced team but they've failed to do so and aside from Aaron Finch, nobody has really shown any form. Currently, Pune look as if they can't wait for IPL 6 to end and it's hard to see the Warriors battling for points on Wednesday.

Kolkata Knight Riders

Last season's Champions KKR won their opening game so comfortably against Delhi that it seemed certain that Gautam Gambhir's men would cruise into the top four. Since then however, there have been just three wins from eleven to put the Knight Riders on the brink of elimination.

Kolkata's campaign wasn't helped by an early injury to Brendon McCullum who has now left the IPL to join up with New Zealand's tour of England. But the real disappointments have been two key players - Jacques Kallis and Yusuf Pathan.

KKR have kept faith in Kallis, despite a poor return with bat and ball while Pathan has been shunted around the batting order with little effect in any position. Kolkata's ultimate elimination is down to a number of additional factors and if they were playing anyone other than Pune, Gambhir's men could expect another defeat.

Venue and Conditions

In five IPL matches at the Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium this year, the average first innings score has been 143 but the lack of quality in the home side makes a par total hard to judge. Within those games, Pune have managed the lowest score of 99 while RCB bludgeoned their way to 187 last week.

However, 150 should be a minimum target for the team taking first knock on a cloudless day where temperatures are expected to peak at around 40 degrees centigrade.

Match Odds

Pune's dismal performances see them installed as the outside bet at 2.26/5 but it's worth remembering that Kolkata have been equally poor at times. Those odds seem quite generous in comparison to KKR's 1.695/7 but Gambhir's side should just have enough quality to edge this.

Pune Top Batsman

Aaron Finch is the only player to show any consistent form so he's an obvious favourite at 3.39/4. Even in Pune's worst defeats, Finch has stood out but he has received great support on occasion from fellow opener Robin Uthappa who is a better bet to top score at 3.7511/4.

Kolkata Top Batsman

Gambhir started the tournament in prolific form and was carrying the side at one point but twelve runs from his last three knocks suggest that the responsibility has drained him. Gambhir remains favourite here at 3.39/4 but in contrast with his skipper, Manvinder Bisla has improved as the tournament has developed and is a better option at 5.04/1.

Recommended Bet
Back Kolkata to win at 1.695/7

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IPL Betting: Kolkata Knight Riders v Rajasthan Royals

IPL Betting / Andrew Hughes / 12 April 2012 / Leave a Comment

Owais is in blistering form for Rajasthan

"Owais Shah and Ajinkya Rahane are the men in form for Rajasthan, but the Englishman is better equipped to deal with Kolkata’s pace bowling."

Rajasthan shocked Kolkata last week but the Knight Riders have an excellent chance of exacting revenge on Friday, despite the best efforts of Owais Shah

Kolkata Knight Riders v Rajasthan Royals

Start time: 15:30 BST, April 13

TV Channel: ITV 4

Live Streaming: http://www.crictime.com/home.htm

Team News
Kolkata will probably want to stick with the winning formula they hit upon against Bangalore. That means Brendon McCullum will be on the bench again as Manvinder Bisla takes the wicket-keeping duties. Eoin Morgan hasn't played yet and could get a chance in the middle order at the expense of Ryan ten Doeschate.

Rajasthan may want to ring the changes after their defeat by Mumbai. They have Brad Hodge and Dinesh Chandimal available, but their batting has done well so far. Brad Hogg bowled well on his IPL debut last time but either he or Johan Botha could give way if the Royals want to add some pace to their attack in the form of Shaun Tait.

Venue and Conditions
Rain reduced the first match at Eden Gardens to 12 overs a side and there are thunderstorms predicted again ahead of Friday's contest. With all that moisture around, the surface should be lively and there will probably also be some variable bounce for the quicker bowlers to exploit.

Match Odds
Rajasthan have made a habit of confounding expectations and they won their first two games this season, thanks to some stirring performances from Owais Shah, Ajinkya Rahane and the cut-price Kevon Cooper. But both those games were at home and away from the low slow surface in Jaipur, their bowling, based entirely around medium pacers and spinners, could be vulnerable.

After a characteristically slow start, the Knight Riders began to look the part against Bangalore, due mainly to the bowling of Brett Lee, Jacques Kallis and Lakshmipathy Balaji. With Bisla batting well, they can afford to leave out McCullum and that middle order of Yusuf Pathan, Manoj Tiwary and Shakib al Hasan is packed with power.

On a surface that will enable their quick bowlers to trouble the Royals batsmen, Kolkata are fairly priced at [1.66] for revenge.

Top Kolkata Batsman
The big hitters Yusuf Pathan and Manoj Tiwary haven't got going yet, but on a tricky batting pitch I'm not sure they're reliable betting propositions. Better to stick with the classier performers and with Jacques Kallis yet to hit form, I'll be siding with Kolkata captain Gautam Gambhir at [3.5] or better

Top Rajasthan Batsman
Owais Shah and Ajinkya Rahane are the men in form for Rajasthan, but the Englishman is better equipped to deal with Kolkata's pace bowling and he will surely be retained in the top four after his brave effort against Mumbai. Shah should be backed at around [4.0]

Featured Market
There have been some low scores at Eden Gardens in previous IPL tournaments, a venue where Rajasthan were skittled out for 81 in 2011. This could be one of those occasions and it's worth siding with 'Under 68.5' in the Highest Individual Score market at [1.75] or better.

Recommended Bet
Back Owais Shah to top score for Rajasthan Royals at [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 Kolkata Knight Riders

Indian Premier League - IPL / Ed Hawkins / 24 May 2011 / Leave a Comment

Lasith Malinga will need to be his usual economical self if Mumbai are to restrict Kolkata's in-form batsmen

"Mumbai have been a little guilty of relying too much on Sachin Tendulkar and we should expect the Knight Riders to get a foothold at some stage. Indeed, Mumbai’s form has been poor, winning only one of their previous four."

Sachin Tendulkar's Mumbai Indians were all the rage in the IPL winner market a couple of weeks ago but they're in pretty poor form right now against a team who seems to be constantly improving. Make the most of the generous price on offer about the underdogs, says Ed Hawkins.

Mumbai

James Franklin is Mumbai's gun man for this contest after a fantastic performance last time out against Kolkata. Franklin, the New Zealander, took 2-35 and then smashed 45 off 23 balls to help get Mumbai a crucial win. Lasith Malinga was wicketless in that match but at 5.25 runs per over was economical.

Kolkata

Jacques Kallis, with 59, top scored for KKR in the game against Mumbai from the No 1 position. Yusuf Pathan, the aggressive middle-order hitter, made 36 from 27 balls. Rajat Bhatia, the medium-fast bowler, took 3-22 but couldn't get KKR home.

Match odds

At 137-5 Mumbai looked beaten against KKR but Franklin and Ambati Rayudu hit back to boost Mumbai ahead of this eliminator. It was the first meeting of the sides in IPL4.

Still, it is a surprise to see such a gulf in prices on the match odds. KKR are as big as [2.36] with Mumbai [1.72]. It's very doubtful whether that is justified.

KKR finished two points behind Mumbai in the table but had a superior run rate and were more economical with the ball. Certainly they look a value back-to-lay option, particularly if they are able to make an early breakthrough with the ball.

Mumbai have been a little guilty of relying too much on Sachin Tendulkar and we should expect the Knight Riders to get a foothold at some stage. Indeed, Mumbai's form has been poor, winning only one of their previous four.

Top Kolkata runscorer

Kallis and Gautam Gambhir, with 417 and 374 runs respectively, are the main attractions in this market but we should not forget the talents of the so-called lesser lights. Manoj Tiwary has 355 runs and could be value at around [6.00]; also don't forget the hitting prowess of Ryan ten Doeschate.

Best bet: back-to-lay KKR at [2.36].

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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: Deccan Chargers v Kolkata Knight Riders

Indian Premier League - IPL / Tobias Gourlay / 02 May 2011 / Leave a Comment

Gautam Gambhir has overtaken Jacques Kallis as Kolkata's leading batsman

"Deccan lost heavily last time out and have a poor home record, but they have followed up their last three defeats with victories in the next match"

Deccan Chargers and Kolkata Knight Riders need more players to follow their captains' good examples on Tuesday, says Tobias Gourlay

Deccan Chargers

Kumar Sangakkara has scored more runs than any other overseas player in IPL 2011 (250 in eight innings).

Deccan's captain has been let down by the underperformance of Deccan's other foreigners, especially Cameron White and JP Duminy. Local replacements are not forthcoming, however, and changes are unlikely for this match.

Kolkata Knight Riders

Gautam Gambhir, Kolkata's captain, has also been setting a good example. He gets more support from his batsman and a plethora of all-rounders allow him to tinker, according to the nature of the pitch.

Shakib al Hasan usually replaces Eoin Morgan or Ryan ten Doeschate on spinning wickets.

Match Odds

Deccan lost heavily last time out and have a poor home record, but they have followed up their last three defeats with victories in the next match. At [2.46] in-play bettors should start on their side.

Hyderabad is a high-scoring ground and might cover some of their deficiencies with willow in hand, if they bat first. Dale Steyn and Ishant Sharma lead a much stronger bowling attack that should bring their price in at some point, if they bowl first.

Top Kolkata Batsman

Gautam Gambhir is Kolkata's leading run-scorer in IPL 2011 and fifth in the overall table with 254 from eight innings.

Gambhir has overtaken his team-mate, Jacques Kallis, who was an overall leader early on in the competition, but has been dismissed for 11 runs or fewer in four of his last five innings.

While Kallis continues to take up more than his fair share of the Kolkta market, there is value in backing Gambhir at [5.0] or so. He has been Top Kolkata Batsman in three of his team's last five matches.

Best Bet: Back-to-lay Deccan Chargers @ [2.46]

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IPL Betting: Kolkata Knight Riders v Kings XI Punjab

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

Jacques Kallis would love nothing better than to be wearing the Orange Cap at the end of the tournament

"Punjab have been so reliant upon their top three that they could be in severe trouble if Brett Lee and Lakshmipathy Balaji remove two of Valthaty, Adam Gilchrist and Shaun Marsh early on. Pick Kolkata for the win at [1.78]."

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 IPL season.

Kolkata

The Knight Riders might have a 4-3 record, but two of those defeats were narrow ones and only their loss to Bangalore can be considered a significant defeat. Gautam Gambhir has proved to be a shrewd captain as well as scoring runs consistently and will be a big factor for them.

Punjab

Kings XI have a 3-2 record from their five matches, with batsman Paul Valthaty the surprise package of the entire tournament. He will be seeking the sixteen runs that he needs to regain the orange cap from Sachin Tendulkar.

Match Odds

Kolkata have an embarrassment of riches at the top of their order, and their biggest decision could be which overseas batsman to leave out from Kallis, Haddin, ten Doeschate and Morgan. Punjab have been so reliant upon their top three that they could be in severe trouble if Brett Lee and Lakshmipathy Balaji remove two of Valthaty, Adam Gilchrist and Shaun Marsh early on. Pick Kolkata for the win at [1.78]

Top Scorer odds

Valthaty isn't the only one seeking that orange cap in this game. Kallis is just 17 runs behind him and the South African is one of the most tenacious opponents around when he has a record in his sights. He should be available at around [4.5] to top score in this game.

Best Bet

Jacques Kallis to be top scorer at around [4.5]

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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

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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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