The Indian Premier League rolls into Indore for the first time this season on Friday afternoon for a huge clash between the Kings XI Punjab and the defending champions Mumbai Indians who are fighting the last orders bell at the last chance saloon.
This might be more of a neutral game for the Kings XI but they won’t care too much for that considering they have five wins to their name already this season. They have played more than anyone else though so don’t need to get sloppy now.
Kings XI Punjab
The surprise package of this year’s IPL are without doubt the Kings XI Punjab. They go into this match with five wins and four defeats to their name but for the most part they have been extremely competitive whether they have won or lost. They might even have been in a better position than they are as they should have beaten the Sunrisers Hyderabad last time out.
In fairness, that defeat did expose the one weakness that the Kings XI might have which is the lack of batting time for their middle order. Their top three have been so emphatic this season that the rest have been playing cameos so if the top order go early they could have problems. Another potential issue here is having had the best part of a week off after a defeat.
Mumbai Indians
They have been here before but the Mumbai Indians have six matches left this season and they have to win the lot if they are to have any chance of making it back to the playoffs to attempt to defend their title. Given that they would only be in the eliminator from here if they do make it they would have to win nine on the spin to retain the crown. That feels unlikely.
It is possible though and if it is to happen then they are going to need their star players to really step up to the plate. Kieron Pollard has been dropped and then recalled and he needs a performance while they need to sort out their last over or two with the ball. They have failed in that department which has turned matches away from them.
Team News
Chris Gayle has missed out for the Kings XI at times in this tournament but having not had a match for a week he is expected to be fit for this one. Unless there is a recall for Yuvraj Singh, the Kings XI could be unchanged.
Mumbai Indians will be hoping that Evin Lewis has recovered from the issue that kept him out of the last match. Mitchell McClenaghan’s final over in Bangalore could see his place in the side in question with Kieron Pollard possibly being called upon to bowl more.
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Betting
If this was in Mohali I think the shrewd move would be to back the Kings XI Punjab but given that it is in Indore where the ground is tiny and so very hard to defend I’m not sure getting involved in the match outcome is the right move after all.
One thing that very much is worth a go is the sixes market where a line of 15.5 doesn’t look particularly high and if the likes of Chris Gayle, Aaron Finch or Evin Lewis get going it certainly won’t be high enough. Throw in the likes of KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Rohit Sharma, Kieron Pollard and Ben Cutting and we certainly don’t lack for big hitters. I expect this line to be covered with ease on this tiny ground.
Tips
WON – Back Over 15.5 sixes for a 5/10 stake at 1.80 with Betfair
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