IPL Betting: Bangalore Royal Challengers v Dehli Daredevils

Find Me A 100 Winner / Ed Hawkins / 25 April 2009 / Leave a Comment

Controversy surrounds Pietersen's Bangalore and Dehli should cash in, says Ed Hawkins.

Team news
Unsurprisingly with the headstrong Kevin Pietersen as captain and Ray Jennings as coach, selection controversy surrounds Bangalore. Wicketkeeper Mark Boucher has been dropped in favour of Robin Uthappa. If you are thinking 'but Uthappa isn't a keeper?' you are right. Bonkers. Particularly when Boucher was Bangalore's equal most reliable performer with the bat last year, top-scoring three times. If Boucher is to play then Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder or Jacques Kallis will have to make way. For Delhi, Glenn McGrath could replace Dirk Nannes but there may still be no room for England's Paul Collingwood.

Venue, pitch and conditions
Rain is forecast for Port Elizabeth. Historically when the weather is poor at St George's Park, swing bowlers rub their hands with glee. In the only Twenty20 international played on the ground in December 2007, West Indies beat South Africa by five wickets in a game reduced to 13 overs. South Africa struggled to 58 for eight.

Match odds
With three defeats in four and their one victory coming in favourable bowling conditions in Cape Town, Bangalore again look likely to be the whipping boys of the IPL. Delhi are [1.52] to make it three wins from three and arguably they should be shorter. Bangalore's bowling and fielding has looked clueless - witness their defeat to King's XI on Friday - and it is hard to see how they will not suffer at the hands of at least one from Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, AB de Villiers or Tillakaratne Dilshan. Last year Delhi enjoyed the double over Bangalore with victories by five wickets and 10 runs

Top batsmen
Kevin Pietersen will head the market for top Bangalore batsman despite a record of only 43 runs in four innings. For those interested, that works out at almost $3,500 a run. He is yet to outscore any of his teammates. The value call would be Rahul Dravid who in one-and-a-bit seasons of IPL has managed the feat four times. Kallis top-scored against Delhi last year. With rain around and the possibility of an overs-reduced contest, sticking with one of the Delhi opening pair is the shrewd move.

Featured market
Bangalore are averaging only 6.5 runs per over in the Powerplay. That makes them hugely vulnerable in the highest six over runs market.