THURSDAY IPL: The Edge previews Punjab Kings v Mumbai Indians with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
Punjab Kings v Mumbai Indians
MATCH OVERVIEW:
The IPL rolls on as Punjab Kings host Mumbai Indians at Dharamsala on Thursday on Betdaq Betting Exchange ! Punjab Kings were the story of the first half of this tournament – they were playing superb cricket, and at one stage they would have been clear favourites to top the table. They were the only unbeaten side after seven games , they chased down 264 against Delhi Capitals to set the highest successful run chase in IPL history, and the batting of Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh and Shreyas Iyer had every cricket fan talking. But that is starting to feel like a long time ago, and the wheels have come off with losing lost four games in a row. What looked like an unassailable position has become precarious; there’s a good chance that if they lose here they drop out of the top four.
The bowling has been the issue – they have conceded 222 against Rajasthan, 235 against Sunrisers and were beaten at home by Delhi after scoring 210. You can’t fault the batting! The confidence that was so infectious a few weeks ago has taken a real knock, but they do have a good chance to pick themselves up against a struggling Mumbai Indians – granted you would have said the same thing against Delhi! Mumbai Indians arrive here in desperate need of a win to boost morale. Five-time champions, the most decorated side in IPL history, and they find themselves yet again towards the bottom of the table. They obviously have some huge stars, but that hasn’t been enough to actually get over the line in games.
Mumbai have suffered from heavy defeats too, they’ve just been blown away in games. When the sides met at the Wankhede earlier in the season, Punjab chased down 195 in just 16.3 overs. Punjab absolutely cannot afford to make it five losses in a row here; for Mumbai it feels like their season is already over but mathematically they are not out of it, granted it would take a remarkable run from here.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
We are at one of the most iconic and beautiful cricket grounds in the world in Dharamsala, set against the backdrop of the Dhauladhar mountain range. This was Punjab’s home for years, but they have moved away now so we don’t have the same volume of IPL cricket. The high altitude means the thin mountain air carries the ball further, which historically aids big hitting. That said, this ground can produce genuine seam movement early on – the pitch can be quite green and offers something to the pace bowlers. We had the first game of the season here on Monday and 210 was chased down with an over to spare. It looks like we’ll have another big score here, and I would certainly bowl first.
RECOMMENDED BET:
Punjab Kings come into this as the favourites at 1.86, not surprising given how poor Mumbai have been at times. Obviously they are on a run of four losses in a row which has to be a worry, but the 1.86 still feels a little big on the home win. There’s been nothing wrong with their batting because they are still scoring 200+; indeed three of their four losses had their batting score 200 or more. Mumbai Indians have been dreadful this season. Bumrah aside, there are real weaknesses across the XI, and Punjab’s batting should eventually take over in this game even if there is movement early. I feel Punjab will have a point to prove after a difficult few weeks and I’m happy to have a small bet at 1.86.
The Edge Says:
One point win Punjab Kings to beat Mumbai Indians at 1.86 with Betdaq Betting Exchange
View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/IPPuMu
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
As noted above, you have to go into this game with a slightly more open mind than usual given the low volume of IPL cricket at Dharamsala in recent years. However, if the game on Monday was anything to go by we should be in for another high scoring game. I wouldn’t fully trust the Mumbai batting, however obviously the Punjab bowling has been the weak point. I feel best angle here is almost certainly to support Punjab’s batting when their time comes; hopefully they are chasing because I feel that would suit them better here. Plus you have the added advantage of any possible dew.
