INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE: Our cricket tipster The Edge previews Monday’s IPL game between Kolkata Knight Riders v Kings XI Punjab with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
The Edge has been a professional cricket trader for over 12 years, and we are delighted to have his columns on BETDAQ Tips. He provides his best bets on a points scale between 1 and 5, with 5 being a rare max bet.
Because we see so much action in-running on cricket, he will also provide some in-running strategies that could develop in-play and lead to some excellent value bets. The Edge covers all forms of cricket: Test Matches, ODI’s and T20’s but his favourite competition is the Indian Premier League each season.
MATCH OVERVIEW:
We’re moving ever closer to the end of the Indian Premier League! After this fixture, there will only be ten games left and both sides need to keep winning to push for a Playoff spot. Unfortunately for one side, someone has to lose today and that could be massive. After both sides won at the weekend, KKR are two points ahead of Kings XI Punjab with both having played 11 games. If KKR win they put a little bit of distance between themselves and the others, if Punjab win they move ahead of KKR on net run rate.
So, it’s all to play for on Monday in Sharjah then! Although KKR are ahead of Punjab in the table, right now it’s Punjab playing the better cricket. They even managed to defend 126/7 in Dubai on Saturday as they bowled out Sunrisers Hyderabad for 114. That came as a big surprise, as the Punjab bowlers haven’t exactly set the tournament alight yet. Chris Gayle has seemingly given the whole squad a huge boost, and they have excellent momentum.
The thing about momentum however, is that it can change fast. KKR had been in pretty poor form heading into the weekend, but they managed to set the whopping total of 194/6 in Abu Dhabi – winning by 59 runs over table toppers at the time Delhi Capitals. Narine finally fired with the bat, scoring 64 runs off 32 balls as they were going nowhere on 42/3 when Karthik departed. We should have an excellent match today.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
It’s obvious now that batting conditions are getting tougher at Sharjah, and we’re unlikely to see 200+ scored again. However, I would have said 190+ was unachievable at Abu Dhabi before Narine pulled it off for KKR. We have a lot of incredible talent in the IPL, and although conditions might suggest a lower total, batsmen can still do crazy things. I feel based on what we’ve seen here, 180 is a good score batting first. However, while the pitch has slowed down the boundaries are still very short. The key is to keep wickets in hand until the final eight to five overs and launch; then anything is possible. Thankfully we’re set fair with the weather.
RECOMMENDED BET:
I really like Punjab here at the odds. I don’t see why KKR should be favourites, and Punjab look cracking value to me at 2.06. KKR landed an impressive win at the weekend, but let’s be honest that was the one time Narine fired and that won’t happen all the time. He could easily do the same here given the size of the boundaries, but so could Chris Gayle for Punjab. KKR have grinded their wins out and credit to them, but Punjab are in excellent form at the moment and winning games they shouldn’t too. They are full of confidence, and it’s a good time to back them – especially at these odds.
The Edge Says:
Three points win Kings XI Punjab to beat Kolkata Knight Riders at 2.06 on BETDAQ Betting Exchange
View the market here -> http://bit.ly/BDQKkrKin
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
I wouldn’t take much from the last game here, only that perhaps the wicket is slowing down a little more. Obviously batting is tougher than at the start of the tournament, but CSK did a terrible job here only getting 114/9. Mumbai chased it down in 12.2 overs without losing a wicket. I would suggest Mumbai could have scored 200+ in that innings, although it has been a few games since we had a score of 200+ here.
Delhi were able to chase down 179/4 here recently, and I would focus on looking for trades on the batting side here. We have some massive talents on display here, and if they get in and get settled then we should see plenty of sixes. Chris Gayle could massively miss-hit here and it could still go for six! Despite the recent chases, I would favour batting first. That’s the best platform, they just have to deliver. If you see the team batting first keeping wickets in hand and build up to launch with eight to five overs to go, that could offer the best trade of the game.
Did you know that as well as checking the realtime prices on BETDAQ below – you can also log into your account and place your bets directly into BETDAQ from BETDAQ TIPS.
