IPL FINAL FRIDAY: Our cricket tipster The Edge previews Friday’s eagerly anticipated IPL Final between Chennai Super Kings v Kolkata Knight Riders with a recommended BETDAQ bet.

IPL Final: Chennai Super Kings v Kolkata Knight Riders

MATCH OVERVIEW:

After 61 games and a lot of drama along the way, it’s Indian Premier League Final time on Friday afternoon in Dubai. Speaking of drama; how dramatic was the second qualifier on Wednesday in Sharjah? Delhi Capitals were dead in the water before KKR started collapsing and then needed seven runs off the final over only to lose two wickets before Tripathi hit a six to win the game. It was incredible, and the in-play swings on BETDAQ Betting Exchange were equally as incredible! Hopefully we have a brilliant finish to the tournament here!

We have a fascinating tale of two very different sides here. I know CSK won the first qualifier to get here against Delhi Capitals, but prior to that they had arrived into the Playoffs in poor form. They were batting and bowling poorly, although their performance against Delhi was impressive and they have an excellent side to deal with the pressure – I mistakenly took them on in the qualifier but in fairness to them they came to the party when the pressure was on. KKR arrive into the Final with a huge amount of momentum however, although they did chase down the 135/5 from Delhi on Wednesday in a very nervy fashion.

I think when it comes to the crunch, CSK have a little edge in that department. Is there anyone cooler than MS Dhoni in a finish? He doesn’t have the talent he had when he was younger, but he did finish off the first qualifier. KKR also have a very cool captain in Eoin Morgan, but he got out for a duck against Delhi and he is a man under pressure with little runs coming into the final. It promises to be an excellent game!

WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:

Thankfully the weather has been excellent in the UAE as you would expect. I’m glad to see the Final in Dubai, although it was hardly going to be anywhere else given the size of the stadium. KKR looked very nervous chasing 135 in Sharjah, but Sharjah has been very tough for batting and I can forgive them getting into a tricky situation on that wicket. The wicket in Dubai has been much better however, and this ground has produced the most fair conditions for cricket. Sharjah was tilted too much towards the bowlers, and it seems a par score in Dubai is around 170. CSK successfully chased 172/5 here in the first qualifier and before that 164 was chased. It’s tough with the nerves, but I would opt to bowl first if I won the toss. I think the team batting first will need 180, especially if there is some dew.

RECOMMENDED BET:

A very interesting market here. I have to say I have been impressed with KKR because they have been in excellent form since arriving to the UAE, but I didn’t expect them to be marginal favourites here. I know CSK have finished the tournament poorly, but they have the better side to cope and deal with the pressure here in my view. KKR looked very nervous against Delhi in what was effectively the semi-final and their captain Eoin Morgan is out of form with the bat. I know we’ll have a close game between two excellent sides, but CSK look the value for me at 2.04. I expected to see them as favourites.

The Edge Says:
Two points win Chennai Super Kings to beat Kolkata Knight Riders at 2.04 with BETDAQ Betting Exchange

View the market here -> https://bit.ly/BDQIplFin

IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:

Lots to ponder in-play here. We saw a huge amount of drama at Sharjah and some dramatic in-running swings in the market. I wouldn’t expect another game like that as Dubai has looked a lot better for batting. In general the team batting first has tended to do well, and the chasing team has done well after them too so I would spend a lot of the game time here looking for trades on the batting side. I know both sides have good bowling attacks, but conditions should favour the batsmen here. I would be happy to take on the KKR middle order however, they look a little out of touch and Morgan seems under immense pressure with the bat. Perhaps Dhoni is worth taking on too for CSK as he is getting older, but we all know he is the man for the big moments so don’t rule out him hitting the winning runs!