IPL Betting: Mumbai Indians v Rajasthan Royals

Indian Premier League - IPL / Ed Hawkins / 12 March 2010 / 1 Comments

Graeme Smith is a key man for the Royals

Mumbai have so far failed to live up to the hype and expectation of their passionate fans. Can they get off to winning ways against the Royals in IPL3 on Friday? Ed Hawkins doesn't think so

Venue and conditions
The Brabourne stadium surface in Mumbai may not satisfy those wanting a run feast. In the eight 50-over internationals played there, no side has scored more than 234. There is a slight toss bias, too. Five of the last seven ODIs were won by the side batting second.

Team news
This is something of a phoney war with both sides waiting for their star men to show up. Rajasthan are without Shane Watson, player of the inaugural tournament, while Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard are with West Indies instead of Mumbai.

However, Rajasthan can call on their South Africa pair - Graeme Smith, Morne Morkel - and Shaun Tait, the Aussie fast bowler, who is fifth on the list of all-time best Twenty20 strike rates.

Zaheer Khan is fit for Mumbai after overcoming a muscle twinge but JP Duminy is likely to miss out with split webbing. Essex's Graham Napier could come in.

Match odds
This contest is a fine example of big names impacting the prices. The appearance of heavyweights Sachin Tendulkar and Sanath Jayasuriya on the Mumbai teamsheet has squashed the odds out of line with the form.

Mumbai, who finished second bottom last year and fifth in year one, are skinny at [1.69] while Rajasthan, sixth last year and winners in 2008, are [2.38]. The gulf cannot be justified in terms of win percentages, either: Rajasthan 65, Mumbai 45.

Rajasthan have won two of the three meetings in narrow fashion and we are expecting a tight game. And with the brilliant of Shane Warne leading the Royals, they are worth supporting to pinch it.

Top runscorer market
Mumbai's top runscorer last year, JP Duminy, is missing so even more money will find its way to Tendulkar. He averages only 25, however, on this ground in all formats. Sanath Jayasuriya may be a better alternative. He has a snippet of ground form and top scored against the Royals in their first ever meeting. Watch out for pocket rocket Swapnil Asnodkar for the Royals and highly-rated wicketkeeper-batsman Naman Ojha, who could also open.

Featured market
Rajasthan have the edge in terms of six hitting. Yusuf Pathan and Ojha hit 23 between them last year. Mumbai are without two of their three biggest hitters. JP Duminy (11) and Dwayne Bravo (8). The Royals are [1.66] to hit most maximums.

Trivia
Of Mumbai's five wins last year, four came when they batted first.

Ed Hawkins says: back Rajasthan Royals at [2.38].

Comments (1)

1. saddamkhan | 12 March 2010

   prity ginta won the series