The second longest running T20 tournament in the game of cricket begins another season this week when the stars of the globe descend on India for season 10 of the Indian Premier League. This 60 match extravaganza captures the attention of cricket fans worldwide and often makes for a fantastic showpiece.
The Sunrisers Hyderabad are back to defend the title they won 12 months ago but the strength of the other seven sides mean they will be made to work hard to retain their crown.
Recent Winners
2016 – Sunrisers Hyderabad
2015 – Mumbai Indians
2014 – Kolkata Knight Riders
2013 – Mumbai Indians
2012 – Kolkata Knight Riders
2011 – Chennai Super Kings
2010 – Chennai Super Kings
2009 – Deccan Chargers
2008 – Rajasthan Royals
The Format
The eight sides play each other home and away in the round robin stage of the tournament with the top four progressing to the playoffs and the bottom four being out of the running for the season.
The top side in the league phase face the second team for a place in the final while third play fourth in a knockout match. The loser of the top two battle faces the winner of the knockout match for the second spot in the final. The final will be held in Hyderabad on 21 May.
The Favourites
The Royal Challengers Bangalore have been the bridesmaids three times in the nine runnings of this event but never the bride. They were beaten at the final hurdle last season but are favourites to go one better this time around. Their home ground has always been their issue as has their quota of overseas players. The big question is with Virat Kohli missing the start of the season can they remain in touch for when he returns?
Mumbai Indians were champions of this event in 2013 and 2015 but they had a bit of a season to forget last year after just two wins in their opening six matches and there was no way back from there. Finding a settled batting order was an issue but if they can sort that out with Lasith Malinga and Mitchell Johnson back for this campaign they should be right in the mix this season.
Sunrisers Hyderabad won the tournament for the first time last season and since then they have backed that up with an excellent auction where they rectified all their shortcomings so if anything they look primed to be even stronger for their title defence. The Sunrisers hold claims to have the best bowling attack in the tournament so if their batting fires again they’ll go close.
The Contenders
You can get pieces of 13/2 about the Gujarat Lions winning the tournament. They started last season brilliantly with six wins in their first seven matches and after topping the table they were expected to go on and land the title but back to back defeats in the playoffs meant they never even made it to the final. They will be looking to overcome that disappointment this season but with Ravi Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo sitting out the early stages their bowling resources will be tested.
Rising Pune Supergiants head into the season under a new captain as Steve Smith has replaced MS Dhoni and it will be interesting to see if that move makes them better. It will need to however as their first season in existence was an average one. Pune made big waves at the auction signing Ben Stokes for a huge amount of money and with Ravi Ashwin out of the tournament though injury they need him to be counted even more than before.
The Rest
Kolkata Knight Riders are twice winners of this tournament but I’m not so optimistic about their chances this time around. Andre Russell’s drug ban have ridded them of a huge talent and the form of the likes of Manish Pandey, Yusuf Pathan and Robin Uthappa is questionable. With Sunil Narine no longer the threat of 2-3 years ago I suspect the Knight Riders are there for the taking this year unless someone in their top order hits form.
Delhi Daredevils have Rahul Dravid advising them this season but they have been dealt two massive blows with the exits before the tournament of Quinton de Kock and JP Duminy and having surprisingly released Imran Tahir from the ranks they have three huge holes to fill. Pat Cummins, Kagiso Rabada and Chris Morris offer good bowling options but if all three play their top order will be exposed.
Kings XI Punjab almost won the tournament in 2014 but they’ve been ordinary since then. In the two seasons since then they have won just seven out of 28 matches and been bottom of the table in both campaigns. They keep changing captains and Glenn Maxwell has the reins this year. Their strength lies in their middle order but if they can’t restrict sides with the ball another season of struggle awaits them.
Betting
You have to respect the Royal Challengers Bangalore but Virat Kohli’s injury and rumours that AB de Villiers may not be fit are huge concerns so I’m keen to avoid them. If those two do miss out early then there could be a chance to jump on at a bigger price when they both return but when it comes to a pre-tournament bet I’m firmly with the defending champions.
The Sunrisers Hyderabad had a great season last year and in Bhuvi Kumar, the purple cap winner from last season, and Ashish Nehra they have probably the best new ball pairing in the competition. Whether Mustafizur Rahman will be around or not is up in the air but they acted quickly to bring in Chris Jordan in case he isn’t which was good thinking. The only weakness the Sunrisers had last season was in the spin department but the additions of Rashid Khan and Pravin Tambe solve those issues so I fully expect the champions to go close to defending their title.
At the other end of the pile there could be some value in Kolkata Knight Riders finishing bottom of the lot. In Andre Russell and Morne Morkel they have to replace 25 wickets from last season while they will be without the ferocious hitting of Russell down the order too. I always think their batting line up looks a little light at the best of times but their all-rounders often bail them out. Chris Woakes is a solid player but he isn’t in the Russell mould and if the top order don’t lay a platform you can see Kolkata struggling to claw things back with a largely ordinary looking attack these days. At 13/2 they’re worth a couple of sheckles to finish bottom.
Tips
Back Sunrisers Hyderabad to win IPL 2017 for a 4/10 stake at 7.00 with BetBright
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Back Kolkata Knight Riders to finish bottom for a 2/10 stake at 7.50 with Boylesports
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