Cricket: Indian Premier League

[Sir Fernando]

both teams have to win, to have any chance of semi-final spot?

[Sir Fernando]

abandoned.

[Sir Fernando]

Kings Punjab Vs Deccan Chargers

with Delhi's match against Kolkata being a wash out, Punjab have obtained a semi-final berth, Yuvraj Singh's young, hungry side will want to keep the momentum rolling to obtain the best SF ranking, Deccan have looked dangerous with the bat at times but the bowling attack has been toothless, against a Kings Punjab side jam packed with explosive batting talent, i expect at least one of Hopes/Marsh/Pomersbach/Yuvraj to score big tommorrow.

Sreesanth and Pathan will need to bowl with more control than they did against Mumbai, Sreesanth does have a good record against Deccan's biggest threat Gilchrist, In this year's CB Series, Sreesanth dismissed Gilchrist three times in five matches - all for scores less than 20. He is also the joint top wicket taker in the Tournament with 15 scalps.Either setting a target or chasing, Punjab have shown they are capable of both.



Kings Punjab WIN @ 8/13 (. betfred)

[kevshat]

Good luck Sir F. I'm gonna chance the other way though.

10pts Deccan Chargers to beat Kings XI Punjab 6/4 VC

This is the 1st complete dead rubber of the tournament so it's hard to know who'll be up for what which would mean Deccan could be value at this price. If we assume both will be going 100% then it's not beyond the realms that Deccan win this. In the last match with Mumbai, Kings XI's opening bowlers got taken to the cleaners by Jayasuriya and Shahid Afridi could do the same here. Realistically Mumbai threw that match away but if Deccan can get off to a fast start they have the quality of Sharma and Rao to see them home. Their bowling would be a worry but RP Singh is taking wickets. Kings XI could rest one or two and aren't completely solid in the bowling department, particularly if Afridi and Gilchrist get going. I keep saying it but this Deccan batting lineup will take someone to the cleaners before this event is over and if it's here then 6/4 will look huge. Deccan for me.

[Sir Fernando]

good game yesterday with Kings Punjab shading it.


Chennai Vs Rajasthan


game is literally about to start, Warne has made 4 changes, no watson, Chennai cant be as bad as they were against Bangalore, toss done, Rajasthan chosen to bat first.sorry no time for expansove write up.

Chennai WIN @ 5/6

[kevshat]

Unlucky with that one Sir F. Great game of cricket though. Massive win for Delhi today. It will take an unlucky turn of events for them not to qualify now which is good for my outright bet.

[kevshat]

Going full circle in the 1st game tomorrow. I'm a bit worried about the Deccan batting firing but it hasn't happened so far so I'll take the risk.

10pts Bangalore to beat Deccan Chargers 6/4 VC

Deccan have been really poor in this tournament. Their batting has rarely got going and as a bowling unit they're non existant. Bangalore aren't much better but Dravid seems to be getting the knack of the twenty20 style and Misbah and Boucher can hit a big ball. Kumble, Steyn, Kumar and Zaheer form a pretty decent bowling attack - certainly better than anything Deccan can muster together and so the away side look like a spot of value here. A lot will depend on their batting but if they put some runs on the board they have enough to defend it with the ball.

[aircooled]

kevshat i ahve to agree with u here...not been following the cricket n im far from an expert on the IPL but the deccan chargers have lost more games than the royal challengers and they are priced at 1.6.... that is surely not worth backing as both teams look similar in quality
.i realised so far home advantage doesnt really amke much of a difference as i ahe been pinched a few times by backing home teams..not clued up on team news etc but will have a little experimental punt on the away team tomorrow @ 2.3
the prices on the teams isnt consistant so will take advantage of this. surely both of these teams should be priced equally deccan chargers dont look any better than the challengers..?
apologies if anyone thinks my post is a load of shite, new to cricket n welcome expert opinions if im wrong

[Sir Fernando]

Kolkata Knight Riders Vs Kings Punjab

Kolkata have been disappointing in the IPL, Punjab however have been superb after initially losing their opening game against Chennai. Since then Punjab's batting order has been explosive, destroying alot of attacks, they seem capable of defending totals aswell as chasing. Both teams might make changes, aslong as there's nothing to drastic, i expect the team with momentum to win this.


Kings Punjab WIN @ 8/15

[Sir Fernando]

good call with Bangalore mate, done it easily in the end.

[Sir Fernando]

Ganguly snatched victory for Kolkata, bit sickening the way Punjab bowled at the death.

todays game,

Rajasthan Royals Vs Mumbai Indians

Rajasthan sitting pretty at the top of the table, Warney's boys have won alot of games in the IPL due to their tight bowling, sharp fielding and consistant batting, Mumbai have been a bit hit and miss, after putting a nice run of victories together, failed against Bangalore and have lost their way again, other than the explosive Jayasuriya and Tendulkar there isn't much to back them up, Rajasthan will again look to Warne and Sohail Tanvar who has bowled superbly througout the IPL.Would be nice to see the two cheapest franchises, Rajasthan and Punjab battle it out for the title.


Rajasthan WIN @ 5/6

[Sir Fernando]

not good for the nerves that game, Rajasthan winning winning off the last ball. If i didn't have dosh on it, would like to have seen a bowl-out. It did help Dilharo fired in wide on the penultimate delivery.
The two lads at the death, Patel and Jadeja batted really well, thought it was all over once Kaif and Watson had gone.

[kevshat]

Nice one Sir F. Didn't bet on the game but was cheering on Rajasthan as that win now means Delhi are in the semi finals. Can't wait to see Watson back at Hampshire in a couple of weeks .

[Sir Fernando]

Deccan Chargers Vs Chennai Super Kings

Deccan have been so bad in the IPL, its hard to believe, investing heavily in a attack minded batting line-up, they've sacrificed in the bowling department as results have shown.Chennai have a chance to book their semi-final place with a win. Chennai just lost out in thriller last time out failing to chase down 212 vs Rajasthan, Deccan have imo an excellent opportunity to grab their 1st home win today as the pressure is off them and firmly on Dhoni's men, to have any chance of winning Gilchrist must score heavily and recieve support from Gibbs and Rohit Sharma.I think their most underrated player has been Venugopal Rao and if i was skipper i would give him a chance at 3. RP Singh needs to strike with the ball aslo. For Chennai Murali has been woeful and they will look to Ntini and Gony to get amongst the wickets.

Taking a chance here, but really like the price on the home side,

Deccan WIN @ 6/5

[Mr Intensity]

Agree Fernando and there has been quite a drift in Chennai today.

[kevshat]

Unlucky with Deccan Sir F. I was hoping they'd win to keep Delhi away from Rajasthan but I suppose they've all got to be beaten at some point haven't they . I can't understand how Deccan can pick Afridi and then bat him at 6 when Styris walks out at 3. Complete waste IMO.

Anyway the final group matches are on Wednesday and I'm betting in the 1st. Might bet in the 2nd tomorrow but definitely the 1st. I'll sort out the +/- after this match.

10pts Mumbai to beat Bangalore 4/6 Totesport

Mumbai have lost their last 3 matches but they've had chances to win at least two of them and maybe even all 3 but they face an average at best Bangalore side here which gives them a chance to end on a high. Bangalore can't bat so if Jayasuriya and Tendulkar start teeing off at any point Mumbai are sure to have too many runs. Pollock and I would imagine it'll be Nel will give international flavour to the Mumbai attack. Bangalore could open the bowling with Kumble but that won't both Sachin and Sanath as they'll have faced him plenty of times. I just can't see a scenario where Mumbai aren't the strongest of these two so I'll take Sachin's men to end with a win.

[Sir Fernando]

Kings Punjab Vs Rajashthan Royals

A battle of the two inform teams here, both easily the best in the IPL and proved that the way they qualified for the semi's. There are some potentially class match-ups today, Warne against Yuvraj and Marsh against Tanvir just two to mention. In the batting department, Kings have the slight edge, Marsh/Sangakkara/Yuvraj all potential match winners, where as Rajasthan collapsed a little in their last game, Jadeja,Pathan and Watson are having solid tournaments with the bat but Graeme smith will be missed at the top of the order, not overly convinced by the opening pair. In the bowling department, Rajasthan probably have the edge, Tanvir has been taking plenty of wickets at not many runs a piece, Warne and Watson have also been consistant with the ball, Kings seamers have been average, Sreesanth, VRV Singh and Pathan all got stick against Ganguly and Kolkata, they need to improve, in Piyush Chawla, Kings carry a big weapon, the leggie is capable of taking important wickets, would like to see the skipper Yuvraj, utilise more of his slow left arm deliveries.

close one to call,

Kings Punjab WIN @ 5/6

[Sir Fernando]

great call with Mumbai,absolutely thrashed Bangalore.



am optimistic Punjab can defend 221?

[Sir Fernando]

Punjab win by 41, Marsh blasts a century, cant be long before Australia bring him into their ODI setup.Class act,plays big shots but doesn't really slog of that makes sense?

[kevshat]

Good call Sir F. Hopefully that will dent their confidence ahead of Friday. Mumbai's win this afternoon has put me +17.40 going into the semi finals.