The knockout cricket begins in the Indian Premier League on Wednesday when the first eliminator of the tournament takes place in Bangalore. The M Chinnaswamy will play host to the third placed team Sunrisers Hyderabad and the fourth side Kolkata Knight Riders.
Unlike other matches in this tournament this one is fairly simple. The winners progress to face the Mumbai Indians on Friday while the losers are done for the season. The two won a match each in their regular season meetings.
Sunrisers Hyderabad
The defending champions weren’t always convincing in the regular season but they have made it back to the big time to try and defend their title. If they are going to do that then they will have to replicate their play-off run from last season when they came through this eliminator on their way to the title.
When you look at the statistics of the season you might wonder how they are having to come through this eliminator. I say that because they have the two top run scorers in the competition and the leading wicket taker. That means there has been a weakness when teams have got past those players.
Kolkata Knight Riders
I wonder how the Knight Riders will be feeling heading into this match. I say that because they had a golden chance on home soil to make it into the qualifier when they took on a Mumbai Indians side who made wholesale changes but they couldn’t get it done and now they have their tournament life on the line.
In that match no batsman took any responsibility for the run chase and as it was the Knight Riders never really got close. They will be hoping that was a wakeup call for their senior batsman and if they take notice they should still be fine. If they don’t then the door could be ajar in this match which will be interesting.
Team News
The Sunrisers will be without Ashish Nehra for as long as they remain in the competition while Yuvraj Singh faces a fitness test. Kane Williamson is pushing for a recall and could get one if Mohammad Nabi isn’t fit.
Kolkata Knight Riders look set to be without Nathan Coulter-Nile while Chris Woakes is definitely out as he is off on England duty. Trent Boult is expected to remain as the overseas seamer.
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Betting
This is the second time in as many years that these two have met in the Eliminator. Last year the match was in Delhi and this year it is on the ground the Sunrisers went on to win the title on in Bangalore. If I was betting on the match I would go with the Sunrisers but this is a 50/50 and I’m on them outright so I don’t need to go in again.
One bet I will take though is for there to be 14 or more sixes. There were 12 sixes when these two met in Kolkata earlier in the season but Warner didn’t hit one and there was no Lynn in that match. There were 14 in the reverse fixture in Hyderabad when again Lynn didn’t feature and in last year’s eliminator there were ten when Kolkata only made 140 on a huge ground in Delhi. This isn’t a big ground and the top orders of both sides are in good form so I’m expecting 14 here especially considering Kolkata hit ten in their regular season match here.
Sunrisers have struggled beyond their main four batsmen all season so they will have been delighted to see Vijay Shankar stand up and be counted in their last match. In fairness coming in at 25/2 chasing 155 the Sunrisers were in trouble when Shankar arrived at the crease but he played a very sensible innings and ended unbeaten on 63. That not only guarantees him a place in the side here but should ensure he bats in a decent position, especially if Yuvraj isn’t fit. At 33/1 he’s a no brainer of a top batsman punt.
Tips
VOID – Back 14 or more sixes for a 4/10 stake at 2.00 with Bet365
Back it here:
Back V.Shankar Top Sunrisers Hyderabad Batsman for a 1/10 stake at 34.00 with Ladbrokes
Back him here:
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