THE EDGE: The Edge previews Tuesday’s IPL Qualifier 1 clash between Kolkata Knight Riders v Sunrisers Hyderabad with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
Qualifier 1: Kolkata Knight Riders v Sunrisers Hyderabad
MATCH OVERVIEW:
The Indian Premier League Playoffs have arrived on Betdaq Betting Exchange, and we kick things off with Qualifier 1 Tuesday afternoon. We had drama right up until the final game to see who was in the top two spots, and unfortunately for Rajasthan Royals they never got a chance to go past Sunrisers Hyderabad as their game against Kolkata Knight Riders was rained off. It was a real shame that we went the whole group stage without losing a game to rain until the final week – we lost three right at the most important time. Rajasthan Royals only have themselves to blame for not being here though having lost their final four completed games. That leaves Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad with two chances of reaching the Final now.
Sunrisers Hyderabad have played some superb cricket right throughout the tournament. They have their flaws, pretty much like every IPL team, but they have been very impressive with the bat. They might have a selection headache here after Rahul Tripathi fired them to victory with a wonderful innings on Sunday – he hadn’t played for over a month before that, and surely he has to stay in the team now with that form. KKR actually have a pretty similar profile to Hyderabad; their bowling has been their weak point but their batting has been absolutely blockbuster. Andre Russell and Sunil Narine have fired them to some incredible scores. We’ve actually had scores from both sides that most cricket fans wouldn’t have believed possible a few years ago.
With both sides so strong with the bat, this game will likely be decided by the bowlers. I have to say the KKR bowlers have definitely stepped up over the last two weeks or so, and they come into the Playoffs in great form – that could easily be the difference. We have a cracker to start the week!
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
The Playoffs start at Ahmedabad, the world’s largest cricket stadium. A perfect setting with 100,000 cricket fans. As I said above, we should have a high quality game here. Both sides have been very strong with the bat and a little weak with the ball, so you would have to lean towards a high scoring game. To be honest, this whole IPL has been very high scoring – possibly even too high scoring but that’s a debate for another day. The first inning scores here this season have been; 168/6 (won), 162/8 (chased), 199/4 (chased), 89 all out (chased), 200/3 (chased) and 231/3 (won). As you can see, we’ve had a range of scores but given the make up of the sides I would expect a 200+ game.
RECOMMENDED BET:
This is the most even market at the IPL. Kolkata Knight Riders are the marginal favourites at 1.98 but you wouldn’t be surprised to see Sunrisers Hyderabad trade odds on either – it won’t take much to move the market pre-off. I would suggest whoever wins the toss will start as favourites. I’m keen to keep stakes small before the start because we do have two top class sides here and they are both in great form – it’s not a surprise to see such a 50/50 market. It comes down to personal preference who you would have as the favourites, and for me that should be KKR. They have been absolutely superb at this IPL, the table toppers have definitely played the best cricket and conditions here should suit them.
The Edge Says:
One point win Kolkata Knight Riders to beat Sunrisers Hyderabad at 1.98 on Betdaq Exchange
View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/KkrHyd
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
As I said above, I can see the toss result moving the market here and whoever wins that will start as favourites. With both sides within a tick or two of 2.0, that will be a case of fastest fingers first on the toss. Whatever happens with who bats first, I think we’ll have a high scoring game here. Batting conditions are very good, and we have two very strong batting line-ups who like to attack. I would be more comfortable backing the KKR batters because as I said above, their bowling have finished the group stage strongly. Bowling is definitely the Sunrisers weak point too, and supporting the KKR batting is the best in-running angle to this game in my opinion.
