INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE: Our cricket tipster The Edge previews Kolkata Knight Riders v Mumbai Indians on day five of the IPL. The preview includes 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:
The Kolkata Knight Riders finally get the chance to start their Indian Premier League 2020 on Wednesday as they face Mumbai Indians in Abu Dhabi. Mumbai Indians have already had experience playing here as they lost their opener against CSK on Saturday at the same venue. We had dew that night and that favoured CSK as they were chasing. I assume the captain who wins the toss will bowl first.
Mumbai said afterwards that they didn’t have a player go on to get a big score after getting in. Looking at the score card I don’t take that as an excuse. They had four players from the top six get 15 runs or more – in T20 that’s enough time to be “in.” The reality is they didn’t bat well enough or fast enough. 42 runs from 31 balls from Tiwary probably wasn’t good enough given the conditions; although granted they kept losing wickets after being 46/0 at one stage. They need to improve.
KKR are packed with talent. They’ll have Eoin Morgan, Pat Cummins, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell and Dinesh Karthik to do battle for them throughout the tournament. Sunil Narine could win games on his own if he continues his excellent form from the CPL and the pitches should suit him too. They look a little weak domestically, however Mumbai Indians don’t have a fantastic tail – as we seen on Saturday after Pollard got out.
WEATHER AND PITCH WATCH:
Once again we are set fair with the weather for a full game which is great. Conditions here on Saturday really changed when the dew came – that dramatically changed batting conditions and bowling conditions. Don’t underestimate how difficult it is to bowl properly with a dewy ball. It’s like bowling with a bar of soap! As I said above, you win the toss and bowl first. 162/9 was the first innings score on Saturday and that was chased down with an over to spare. Batting first you’d want around 180 to feel happy. 170 and you’ll have to bowl well, while anything short of that should be chased – especially if there is dew.
RECOMMENDED BET:
I said on Saturday that I don’t like the look of the Mumbai Indians squad this season and I stand by that. KKR look a shade of value at odds against and I’m happy to take that 2.12 on offer. Mumbai Indians have a history of starting the tournament slow however, so don’t fully judge them yet. Their batting can improve, they have plenty of match winners, but I feel they will have issues bowling the whole tournament. KKR have plenty of match winners themselves, and we should see a good game.
The Edge Says:
One point win Kolkata Knight Riders to beat Mumbai Indians at 2.12 with BETDAQ Exchange.
View the market here -> http://bit.ly/BDQKkrMum
IN-RUNNING STRATEGY:
The number one strategy should be to focus on will we get dew, and if we do when it arrives. Saturday changed the way the game was going. As a pre-off thought, you’d want to be getting on the side bowling first with a view to trading out after 15 overs or so when the dew arrives. I would expect a decent finish from the side batting first if they have wickets in hand as the dew arrives; however while that can move the market – the market will also factor in the chase becoming easier.
Mumbai lost a lot of wickets in their tail towards the end, and I wouldn’t expect many runs from their tail again. KKR have a lot of big hitters in their side that can move the markets quickly – with a bowling line-up from Mumbai that’s weaker this season the big hitters could be worth supporting. Over all the main in-running strategy should focus on the dew, and look for trades on the batting team when it arrives.
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