Kolkata Knight Riders v Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL Tips: Runfest incoming so bet both teams for 200

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Thursday 2 April,15:00
TV: Sky Sports

Kolkata Knight Riders v Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL team news

Kolkata Knight Riders suffered a convincing defeat by Mumbai Indians in their opening match. In time, it may be that it was a case of an average team being outclassed by a very good one. But KKR did little to help themselves.

Bizarrely, KKR decided against using Tim Seifert and Finn Allen as their opening pair, a combination which has the ability to take a game away from a side. It would have made sense dropping Seifert if Cameron Green had come in and been able to bowl. But Cricket Australia have banned him from doing so.

Sympathy for KKR then? None. If he can't play as an all-rounder, don't play him. It was all the more baffling because they have lost three first-choice pacers. To give them six bowling options they need to pick Racin Ravindra at No 3.Ajinkya Rahane moaning about Green's unavailability post-match made little sense. 

Possible XI: Rahane, Allen, Ravindra (sub Tyagi),  Raghuvanshi, Rinku Ramandeep, Roy, Narine, Varun, Arora, Muzarabani

Sunrisers Hyderabad went round the park against RCB in the opening game of the tournament. That was not a surprise. But at least their batters started well, which will give them confidence.

It does seem as their only hope this term is to out-blitz teams as the bowling unit looks extremely weak. Pat Cummins is, of course, injured but there wasn't much variation in terms of pace. It was a surprise Zeeshan Ansari as the main spinner didn't get a look in.

They used only three overseas players in game one. Liam Livingstone or Brydon Carse are options fitness permitting.

Possible XI: Head (sub Payne), Abhishek, Ishan, Reddy, Klaasen, Livingstone, Verma, Dubey, Harshal, Unadkat

Kolkata Knight Riders v Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL pitch report

Eden Gardens is one for runs, as evidenced by a three-year RPO of 9.76 in the last three years of night matches (16) in IPL. There is a 9.88 versus 9.6 split batting first to second but no evidence of a toss bias. More than 200 is an even money shot of the study period. Both teams to score 200 has won four in 15 (one match didn't have a second innings due to rain).

It is perfectly reasonable to reckon that we should be in for a run glut. The pitch is conducive and the bowling attack also. Both KKR and SRH are likely to struggle to contain teams this season. 

As stated previously KKR have lost Harshit Rana, Matheesha Pathirana and Akash Deep. Sunrisers were ranked third-bottom on economy. The simplest way to play is the 5/61.84 that both teams bust 190. For a bigger winner, look no further than the 17/102.70 that both hit 200.

Kolkata Knight Riders v Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL match prediction

KKR are 2.021/1 with Sunrisers 1.9720/21. It is understandable as to why the match odds market cannot split the two teams. They appear to be identical in terms of strength and weakness. Maybe SRH just edge it on batting power, particularly if KKR have to use Ravindra at No 3.

Working out who wins may not be necessary, however. We are clear that batters will dominate so that raises the strong possibility that the side batting first is significant favourites at the break. A simple back-to-lay on the side batting first is the way to go. Then we would expect the chaser to be bang in touch so the odds are to be wagered to flip again.

Kolkata Knight Riders v Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL player bets

On flat pitches it can often be ill-advised to bet on what batter to outscore the rest. A half-century may not be remotely enough to win the top team batter market. The advice is always to play milestone betting. The most destructive (and reliable) batter on either side is Abhishek Sharma for SRH. Sportsbook offer 2/13.00 for a 50 and that is the smartest player bet. 

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