Indian Premier League Tips Matches 28 and 29: Punjab look unstoppable

Click here for Kolkata Knight Riders v Rajasthan Royals odds
Sunday 19 April, 11.00
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Kolkata Knight Riders v Rajasthan Royals IPL Tips

Kolkata Knight Riders have lost each of the five matches they have completed. It would have been six not for rain against Punjab. They are lucky to have one point. Their latest masterclass in disaster came on Friday against Gujarat Titans when they were beaten by five wickets.

KKR continue to confound and confuse with selection and actual play. Finn Allen was dropped to make room for Tim Seifert, despite surely being signed to play alongside. Sunil Narine, having opened previously, was demoted. Anukul Roy batted ahead of Rinku Singh.

And then there was Cameron Green. On the face of it, Green finally had a good game hitting 79 from 55. But he scored only four from 11 balls at the death meaning their 180 was way below what was required at Ahmedabad to be competitive.

Goodness knows what Royals do to them. Their confidence may have been clipped slightly by a harrowing loss to Sunrisers but it can equally be dismissed as a freak day at the office. Their consistency in hitting and gusto should be far too much for KKR.

The question remains about how best to get with Royals. The 1.715/7 isn't too shabby on the match odds suggesting that a strong few balls for KKR here or there could make a drift to 1.804/5 a pile-on.

A bet on the KKR batting failing again is available on an unders play on their total match runs at a high 190/5 at 5/61.84 with Sportsbook. On good batting tracks at Eden Gardens (twice), Chennai and now Ahmedabad they have come up short in each of them at the quote. The only outlier is the first of the season at Mumbai.

Click here for Punjab kings v Lucknow Super Giants
Sunday 19 April, 15.00
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Punjab Kings v Lucknow Super Giants IPL Tips

Punjab Kings have won each of their four matches and were on course for a fifth against KKR before rain spoiled things. They produced arguably their best performance of the season against Mumbai Indians, hammering them by seven wickets.

Although it was not in doubt that they were superior, taking down an MI side stacked with international stars is no mean feat. Their opponents didn't faze them, though, and they never looked like slipping up.

Complacency may be their only worry but one suspects a team led by Ricky Ponting has few concerns in that regard. Lucknow have lost three from five with two coming consecutively.

There are legitimate theories that Lucknow may be one of the worst teams in this league and, in time, they could even be engaged in a death roll with KKR to see who finishes rock-bottom. From the outset they have cut a confused bunch, constantly changing their batting order. It really is a solid indicator for a team to underperform when, essentially, they are unsure of how to set up.

It is probably caused by a lack of confidence. Each of the LSG top four appear to struggling to convince. Normally it is a top order which can take an innings by the scruff of the neck but Mitch marsh, Aiden Markram, Rishabh pant and Nic Pooran have not looked themselves. Pooran's form will be causing a major headache. He can't seem to buy a run.

It is not ideal that LSG require flat and true tracks to fire. We might not get that at New Chandigarh. Historically it has been one of the tougher wickets.

All this is reflected in the match odds. Punjab are the right price at 1.625/8. The best way to get with Punjab could be taking the even that they hit over 9.5 sixes. it might be a little toppy but they are the best six-hitting team in the league so the risk is minimal.

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