Find Me A 100 Winner / Frank Gregan / 18 May 2009 /

It's do-or-die time for Bangalore who despite having Ross Taylor in tremendous form, are likely to find Delhi, already through to the semis, a little too Devilish for them to handle.

Team News

Delhi top the table after their bloodless victory over Rajasthan on Sunday and are in great nick having won five of their last six matches. Dirk Nannes was recalled to the side for Sunday's game but produced poor bowling figures with an economy rate of 8.25 and only one wicket to show for it. If a change is made in the bowling department he may well once again give way. Glen McGrath must be the most expensive drinks waiter of all time and he will be hoping to get some action in before the tournament reaches its conclusion.

Bangalore have had a five day break which in this competition equates to about twelve dog years and will be raring to go having kept their flickering qualification hopes alive with a last gasp victory over Chennai last time out. Jesse Ryder was surprisingly left out of the team against Chennai and could be set for a recall if the management goes against the grain and elects to change a winning side. Ross Taylor is in tremendous form and another big performance will be needed from the Kiwi in a game that Bangalore have to win.

Conditions

The surface at the New Wanderers looks fine with the average first innings score during the five matches played there thus far being 146. All but one of the games held here have been day/nighters and the lights should hold no fear for the side batting second, suggesting that the toss is of little consequence unless there is moisture in what has been a predominantly dry wicket. No problems are envisaged with the weather.

Match Odds

This is a game that Bangalore has to win and they will be available to back at odds of [2.36]. A match should be available on Delhi at odds of [1.74]. Delhi are already comfortably through to the semi-finals whilst it looks like Bangalore will have to win this match and their final game against Deccan on Thursday.

The "needs must' believers will be lumping on Bangalore but it is difficult to recommend backing against a team in as rich a vein of form that Delhi are enjoying. It's time to wait until the innings change with 148 being the par score. If the side batting first makes 148 or more back them, if they make less - lay them.

Top Batsman

AB de Villiers has been in brilliant form for Delhi throughout this tournament and is sure to head the market. David Warner has been warming the bench during the last couple of games and will have a point to prove if he gets a recall and should be a decent price.

Tillakaratne Dilshan has been in good touch showing consistency with three half centuries to his name and usually gives backers a good run for their money.

Ross Taylor has stepped up to the plate during Bangalore's hour of need but it's a big ask to expect him to make it three match winning innings on the trot. I've a sneaking suspicion that this might just be a low scoring affair and if that proves to be the case then the value may well be found backing lower-order batsman and quick scorer Mark Boucher.

Featured Market

There are some cracking markets on offer and one that has proved successful for me in the past is the over 1.5 run outs. Both these sides are reasonable in the field and it's tempting to recommend more than 1.5 run outs but I'm going to pass on it because I think there is one stand out bet. Both these sides have explosive hitters and quality batsmen but doesn't every side in the IPL? There will be no shortage of backers wanting to get 300.5 or more in the Total Runs Market so a lay at odds of [2.0] or less is the recommendation as this may well prove to be a low scoring affair.

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