After a thrilling opening match in the Indian Premier League on Saturday we have an IPL double header to enjoy on Sunday as four more sides get their campaigns underway. The first of those matches comes from Chandigarh where the Kings XI Punjab meet the Delhi Daredevils.
Kings XI begin the season looking to be a much more competitive force than they have been in recent campaigns while there is a lot of talk around the Delhi Daredevils with many suggesting they could be sleepers in this event.
Kings XI Punjab
Recent seasons have not gone to plan for the Kings XI Punjab so they ripped everything up in the close season and started again and it will be interesting to see if that is a move which has any mileage or whether they are swimming against the tide in that respect. If they are going to improve they need to find a way of taking wickets.
On good batting wickets the Kings XI have usually had the goods with the bat but they have never truly got their bowling set up right. Having a captain who is a bowler is an interesting ploy but in that respect it might just work. Some canny signings should serve them well and if they can make a fast start they could build some confidence and be dangerous.
Delhi Daredevils
The Delhi Daredevils have been improving season on season in recent times and if they can find a little bit more improvement for this season then they will have every chance of not only making it beyond the regular season but actually launching a title tilt. Much has changed in Delhi with a new captain and coach but in Gautam Gambhir and Ricky Ponting the brains trust will be solid.
Dehi have a good mix of experience and vibrant youth, of Indian quality and excellent overseas imports and really there does not look to be a weakness in their ranks, perhaps with the lack of a real batting depth but even that is being picky in the extreme given the options they have available to them.
Team News
Aaron Finch will miss out for the home side as he got married on Saturday. That could see Chris Gayle open the batting for the Kings XI Punjab. Andrew Tye and R Ashwin will be key for them with the ball.
Delhi Daredevils will be without a key player themselves as Glenn Maxwell is away at Aaron Finch’s wedding. Jason Roy could come into the side and bat somewhere in the middle order. Liam Plunkett has replaced Kagiso Rabada but will not be available for this one.
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Betting
I think the Glenn Maxwell absence could be the determining factor in this match and as such I like the Kings XI Punjab to win this match. I’m not suggesting the will win it going away so to speak but in the likes of Chris Gayle, Andrew Tye, David Miller and R Ashwin they have four genuine class acts at this level.
Delhi have a light batting line up in the absence of Maxwell and if the Kings XI can find some wickets up front then they might go a long way to winning this match. Punjab look better balanced in this one and as a result I’ll go with them to pick up an opening win.
Tips
WON – Back Kings XI Punjab to beat Delhi Daredevils for a 4/10 stake at 1.95 with Betfair
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