Indian Premier League Tipsheet Matches Eight and Nine: Time to bet Sai runs

Click here for Delhi Capitals v Mumbai Indians odds
Saturday 4 April, 11.00
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Delhi Capitals v Mumbai Indians IPL Tips

Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals started their campaigns with a win. Delhi were arguably more impressive in keeping quiet a powerful Lucknow batting line-up. Mumbai's stroll to victory over Kolkata caught the eye but in time their bowling profligacy might remove the sheen.

As expected MI are hot favourites. They are no better than 1.654/6 on Betfair Exchange. They could well be stronger for this outing. Mitchell Santner has arrived from New Zealand and goes straight into the squad.

It would be a surprise if he didn't make the XI. Mumbai can improve their spin experience and lengthen their batting by replacing Allah Ghazanfar with Santner. Ghazanfar had a tough time against KKR.

Delhi are still waiting on the arrival of Mitchell Starc. But do they desperately need him to turn up? Not when Lungi Ngidi is in the form of his life. He continued his potency from the T20 World Cup with three wickets against LSG. He has another opportunity to make the starting role his own.

There have been 23 day-night matches at the Kotla in IPL. The runs per over is 8.44. But there have been only two day-night matches in the last four years. Both had runs rates at more than ten. This is in keeping with the belief that the Kotla is a road.  These sides gorged on a runfest in April 2024 in a day-nighter. MI fell ten short of chasing Delhi's 257. 

We stick with a related win-rate bet though as Sportsbook appear very much alive to the prospect of another bat-dominated affair. KL Rahul has a win rate of 25% on top bat for Delhi but one of rules on flat ones is to take others out of the equation by betting milestones. So the 13/82.63 he notches a 50 is the play. 

Click here for Gujarat Titans v Rajasthan Royals
Saturday 4 April, 15.00
TV: Live on Sky Sports

Gujarat Titans v Rajasthan Royals IPL Tips

Gujarat had a rude awakening to their IPL campaign by sliding to a disappointing defeat by Punjab Kings. Their batters just couldn't get going against a bowling unit which had previously struggled to keep things tight.

It could be that the New Chandigarh surface was to blame. After all, they were able to fight hard with the ball and at least took a chase of 162 to the final over.

But pre-tournament fears about Jos Buttler's form were realised. His 38 from 33 was further evidence that Buttler's striking has fallen off a cliff. Over the last six months, for example, he has been a reliable performance winner on unders when before there were few more consistent in the market.

Sportsbook go 38.5 (1pt per run, 10 per catch, 25 per stumping) at 5/61.84 for unders. That has won 11 of the last 17 this year as the decline has taken hold.

Our top-rated bet is to back Sai Sudharsan for top Gujarat bat. Sai had a rare failure in the opener against Punjab, bringing his win-rate down to 35%. Sportsbook have also pushed his price out following the blank so the 13/53.60 is a bet. 

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