IPL GAME 17: Our cricket tipster The Edge previews Friday’s game 17 in the IPL between Punjab Kings v Mumbai Indians with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
MATCH OVERVIEW:
The Indian Premier League is back in Chennai on Friday for a fascinating game as Punjab Kings take on Mumbai Indians! I’m sure a lot of cricket punters will think this is a straightforward win for Mumbai, but that’s why I find the game fascinating. I think this game will be a lot closer than the odds on BETDAQ Betting Exchange suggest. Mumbai Indians are heavy favourites, but they have yet to really hit form in this IPL.
I felt that Mumbai would beat Delhi, but their batting let them down again. That’s been a major worry at the start of the tournament, and their high score remains 159/9. Their bowling has been impressive, and that has got them out of a jam twice. They successfully defended 152 all out and then 150/5. I know they have been playing Chennai where batting is very difficult, but I expected them to perform to a higher level to be honest.
I know we are taking a big chance going with Punjab Kings. They have already had two of the lowest scores in the IPL this season with 106/8 and 120 all out here on Wednesday but they have also recorded the highest score of the tournament and their batting is pretty impressive when they get going. There’s no doubt Mumbai have strong bowling and that they should be favourites, but I wouldn’t have Mumbai as short as 1.6.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
I think after seeing Punjab struggle so much here on Wednesday, we can put the 200+ RCB scored down to the amazing de Villiers. The pitch had some very tricky spin in it on Wednesday, and to be fair the Punjab batsmen just didn’t play good cricket shots. Mumbai struggled here too on Tuesday however, only managing 137/9. I would expect more turn and batting to be tricky, and I would definitely want to bat first. I know both these sides failing when batting first in their last games, but batting first still offers best use of conditions and gives an advantage – it’s up to the team batting to take that advantage!
RECOMMENDED BET:
As you could probably tell from above, I am happy to back Punjab here. I just expect a closer game than the odds reflect. For me Mumbai shouldn’t be as short as 1.6 and Punjab look value at 2.6. Both sides have had some poor games in the IPL this season, and Mumbai really need their mid-to-low order to start scoring runs otherwise they won’t enjoy the same success as last season. Punjab can be very hit and miss, one day brilliant with the bat and the next day poor, but at the odds they are worth backing today.
The Edge Says:
One point win Punjab Kings to beat Mumbai Indians at 2.6 with BETDAQ Betting Exchange
View the market here -> http://bit.ly/BDQPnjMum
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
A lot of the in-running strategy will centre around the pitch again here, and if it’s as tricky as it’s expected to be then I wouldn’t say long on the batting side. There’s always going to be a wicket around the corner. Having seen these two sides bat so poorly and effectively lose the game batting first here, I feel the best strategy is to look to get on the team batting first if they are going well in the final ten overs. It’s definitely an advantage batting first here, but because batting is so tricky you don’t want to just back the team batting first blindly after the toss.
In terms of player trades, I would be more keen to support the Mumbai bowling than the Punjab bowling – the Mumbai bowling is definitely better. However, I feel on balance the Punjab batting has looked better in the tournament to date. I feel you can definitely take on the mid-to-low orders from both sides – the Punjab lower order is very weak once the Chris Gayle has gone and while the Mumbai lower order is very talented, they aren’t firing at the moment.
