THE EDGE: The Edge previews the IPL clash between Gujarat Titans v Punjab Kings with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
Gujarat Titans v Punjab Kings
MATCH OVERVIEW:
The Indian Premier League heads to the world’s biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad as we complete the first round of games. Gujarat Titans clash with Punjab Kings, as we settle into the tournament on BETDAQ Betting Exchange. We had some blockbuster clashes over the weekend, and some very high scores too – notably 286/6 from Sunrisers Hyderabad in their win on Sunday. Last year saw an incredibly high scoring IPL, and it looks like the batters will be on top in this years IPL too if the opening games are anything to go by!
Gujarat Titans couldn’t have had a better start as a franchise, but they flopped last season and they come into this tournament as one of the outsiders. Gill and Buttler at the top of the order is an exciting pair however, and Rashid Khan will lead the attack but obviously he needs some spin and if we have flat wickets his impact won’t be as big. Outside of those three players mentioned, they definitely look a little weak in that middle order and bowling department. It always pays to keep a reasonably open mind with IPL cricket, but Gujarat look like they could finish closer to last than first this season.
Punjab Kings had a lot of work to do coming into this IPL because they lost a lot of key players. Liam Livingstone and Jonny Bairstow went and although Bairstow didn’t fire often, he will be missed. They did well in the auction but obviously the jury is out – Maxwell and Stoinis do very well in an average Melbourne Stars side in the Big Bash; let’s see if they can bring that partnership to the IPL.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
Ahmedabad is an excellent place for cricket; we can get two types of wickets here. Generally, a very flat wicket with 200+ par, or a very spin friendly wicket which is close to impossible to bat on. When the stadium opened, England experienced both wickets within a few games; but in general the T20 wicket is pretty good. We did have a range of scores here last season though; the first inning scores were 168/6 (won), 162/8 (chased), 199/4 (chased), 89 all out (chased), 200/3 (chased), 231/3 (won), 159 all out (chased), 172/8 (chased).
RECOMMENDED BET:
Gujarat Titans come into the game as the favourites at 1.8, and I feel that’s a little short to be honest. I expect a 50/50 game here, and if you take last seasons results it appears there’s a little edge chasing here too. I would have the market a lot closer to 2.0 either side, and from a value point of view I’m happy with a small bet on Punjab Kings at 2.2. It’s easy to pick flaws in both sides in my opinion; the reality is it’s who comes off here – Buttler or Maxwell on either side – and that will likely decide the game.
The Edge Says:
One point win Punjab Kings to beat Gujarat Titans at 2.2 with BETDAQ Betting Exchange
View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/GujPnb
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
I would take the opening three overs here just to confirm conditions; we’ve had a range of scores and conditions at this stadium so I wouldn’t go into the game fully set on what is a par score. I do feel it’s odds on we get a good batting wicket though; that has been the trend in general in the IPL recently. It definitely looked a little edge chasing here last season, so I would happily support the chasing side – I would suggest it’s best to wait until the innings break given they could be chasing close to 200 though. Interesting to see how much the market supports the side who bats first if they do finish around 200; that was chased a few times here last season.
