THE EDGE: The Edge previews the return of the IPL and the opener between Kolkata Knight Riders v Royal Challengers Bengaluru with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
Kolkata Knight Riders v Royal Challengers Bengaluru
MATCH OVERVIEW:
The IPL is back on BETDAQ Betting Exchange! Some say the Indian Premier League is the highlight of the cricketing year; it’s definitely become a monster and now the cricketing calendar revolves around it. We should have plenty of drama over the next two months as always, and of course we have the best players in the world on show. We kick off the tournament at Eden Gardens as Kolkata Knight Riders host Royal Challengers Bengaluru; will this finally be the season for RCB? Virat Kohli is still waiting for his moment in the sun with RCB!
RCB have always gone heavy with the batters, but that is changing. Their bowling improved a lot last season and they made it into the playoffs. If everyone can stay fit, you’d have to fancy them again to at least reach the playoffs. The English duo of Liam Livingstone and Phil Salt could really fire in home games where the par score is very high. I’ve been saying this for years but when you’re home ground is so high scoring, you need to focus on the bowlers rather than the star batters when everyone can score quickly! Kolkata Knight Riders had to go nine seasons without a win, but they finally returned to the winners circle last season and they have some excellent balance in their squad again this season.
The IPL is an exceptionally long tournament, and we’re going to have many twists and turns ahead over the next two months. I wouldn’t judge either side on their opening performance to be honest; there’s plenty cricket to be played. It’ll be interesting to see if Josh Hazlewood if fit – he is vital to the RCB bowling but he did miss the Champions Trophy recently.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
Last season we saw an incredible high scoring IPL. Records were broken, we saw some incredible run chases and in general it was just a run-fest. Conditions were good for batting and the batters literally had no respect for the bowlers! Eden Gardens was one of the highest scoring venues, and to be honest it would be a surprise if we didn’t have a high scoring game here. Because it’s the start of a new tournament, I would have an open mind on scoring but everything points to 200+ being needed here.
RECOMMENDED BET:
It’s no surprise to see KKR trading as the favourites here; they are defending Champions and have home advantage – for whatever that is worth in good batting conditions. I have a lot more respect than I did for the RCB bowling line-up compared to previous years, however I do feel this is a time to take them on. Hazlewood missing the Champions Trophy was a huge blow for Australia, and he hasn’t had too long to recover for the IPL either – given the tournament is so long, I don’t think they will risk him this early. For me that swings things over to KKR, and I’m happy to have a small bet at 1.87.
The Edge Says:
One point win Kolkata Knight Riders to beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru at 1.87 with BETDAQ Betting Exchange
View the market here -> https://betdaq.biz/KolBen
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
Just because it’s the first game of the tournament this year, I would give it a few overs just to confirm conditions. If we do get the expected superb batting conditions, then you really want to be focusing on looking for trades on either batting side and stay away from supporting the bowlers here! 261/6 was chased here last season! When these two sides met here last season, KKR posted 222/6 and won by only one run with RCB 221 all out. Hopefully we get the same amount of drama!
