IPL Betting: Chennai Super Kings v Kings XI Punjab

Indian Premier League - IPL / Andrew Hughes / 20 March 2010 / Leave a Comment

Chennai will rely on Hayden

"The MA Chidambaram Stadium offers one of the best batting surfaces in India and in its eight IPL games there have been three first innings scores of 190 or more. "

Without a win so far in IPL 2010, the Kings XI Punjab face a stern test as they travel south to take on the Chennai Superkings. Andrew Hughes previews the second of Sunday's IPL fixtures.

Venue and Conditions

The MA Chidambaram Stadium offers one of the best batting surfaces in India and in its eight IPL games there have been three first innings scores of 190 or more.

Team News

Chennai are still without their skipper, MS Dhoni so Suresh Raina will continue to deputise. Having shuffled the pack regularly to find the best bowling combination, they may well do so again and Manapreet Gony may get a second chance.

Kings XI Punjab have limited options and may have to settle for a tweaking of the batting order, with Adrian Barath moving up the order. Explosive opener Karan Goel may also be given a chance, having failed to feature so far this tournament.

Match Odds

On the face of it, this looks a good opportunity for Chennai to pick up another win at the expense of a Punjab side that share bottom place in the table with Rajasthan. The home team have considerable batting firepower, not least from their Mongoose-wielding opener Matthew Hayden, whilst Punjab have struggled to put together a good batting and fielding performance in the same game.

However, there are reasons why you should consider taking the [2.3] on offer about a Punjab win. They have shown considerable spirit thus far, taking Delhi down to the last ball and mounting an audacious rearguard against Deccan. Though their bowling is weak, Chennai's is just as poor and without their captain, the home side's batting is not as solid as it could be. Punjab have plenty of experience in their line-up and are capable of springing a surprise.

Top Runscorer Market

You rarely need to look further than Hayden for Chennai's top batsman and with M S Dhoni missing and Suresh Raina weighed down with captaincy pressures, the big Aussie veteran is the sensible call at [3.5] or better.

It is surely only a matter of time before one of the experienced trio in the Punjab middle order hits form and preference is for Mahela Jayawardene who is likely to be as high as [5.5].

Featured Market

The last two games on this ground have produced 18 sixes apiece so consider backing '14 and Over' in the Total Sixes market at [2.5] or higher.

Trivia

Chennai have a poor record at their home ground, losing 5 of the 8 games they have played there.

Andrew Hughes says Back Punjab to beat Chennai at [2.3]