There are two sides still to get their IPL 2021 campaign underway and they both do so on Monday when the competition heads back for Mumbai for the clash between the Rajasthan Royals and the rebranded Punjab Kings.
We’ve seen one really good game of cricket so far in the season and two which were a little more one-sided than we might have expected. Everything looks set for another cracking game back at the Wankhede Stadium though.
Rajasthan Royals
When you look down the list of personnel the Rajasthan Royals have had over the last season or two you would have to point out that they have disappointed massively. There is always an air of allowing the Royals a little bit of slack because they quite often get messed about in this competition with home grounds often changing and advantages disappearing and they have never truly been one of the settled sides off the field.
It might well be that the biggest thing that they have done between last season and this is bringing in Kumar Sangakkara as coach. There aren’t many cricket brains that are better than his and he has plenty of experience in this format so he will come up with the right combinations and improve youngsters and things. Ultimately, he’ll need to find some quality death options in the absence of Jofra Archer but if he can do that the Royals could be sleepers on this event.
Punjab Kings
The Kings XI Punjab have been rebranded off the field and they will hope their results on it take an upturn as well. In fairness, their campaign last term ended up a lot better than it might have been when they went an absolute age without winning. The one thing I’ve always thought about the Kings XI as was and Punjab Kings as now, is that whenever a close game comes along they will find a way to lose it and that is something they need to sort out moving forward.
One thing that stands out for the Punjab Kings this season is how the schedule has helped them enormously. They have a side built with batting power so the last thing they would have wanted was to be playing in Chennai or Delhi all competition. As it is only two of their matches are there. 12 are here in Mumbai, Bangalore and Ahmedabad so they have had a result there. They too need to find some death bowlers but if they do that they could be very dangerous.
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Key Men
Jos Buttler is a huge player for any side he is involved in and having shown his worth in an England shirt last month he now gets the chance to showcase his talents in a Royals shirt. All eyes will be on where he bats but expect him to do it well wherever he comes in.
KL Rahul had a terrible time of it in the T20 matches against England last month but did find some form in the one dayers and the Punjab Kings will need that from their captain here. He led the run scoring in the league last term despite not making the play-offs but with their attack big scores will be needed so he is crucial to their chances.
Betting
I’ve already won with one sixes bet on this ground this season and I’m going to attempt to do the same in this second match of the campaign at the Wankhede. I mentioned ahead of that first match here that the boundaries are relatively tiny and the pitch is great for batting. I don’t think I gave away any secrets there but it is good to have that reminder. The wicket comes on nicely and players can hit through the line.
I’d say without Archer around these are two of the weaker attacks in the competition so the batsmen really should have days out here. When you think we have the likes of Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Sanju Samson, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran and Rahul Tewatia on show here, who all hit a clean, long ball, the potential for sixes here is enormous. The line is only 14.5 for this match and I fully expect that to be covered and some.
Tips
WON – Back Over 14.5 sixes for a 5/10 stake at 2.00 with William Hill
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