Indian Premier League - IPL / Andrew Hughes / 17 April 2010 /

After their poor showing against Delhi on Thursday, Chennai need to win their final game to have a chance of making the semi-finals. Andrew Hughes previews Sunday's opening IPL game that takes place in the foothills of the Himalayas

Venue and Conditions

The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium is a contender for most beautiful ground in the world, with stunning views of the Dauladhar hills. In contrast to most Indian grounds, it offers seam, bounce and swing for bowlers.

Team News

Kings XI Punjab cannot reach the semi-finals and they may decide to rest one or two players. West Indian fans will be hoping Adrian Barath gets a game, with the World Twenty20 just days away.

Chennai dropped Muttiah Muralitheran for Thursday's game and are unlikely to recall him for this pitch. They could instead turn to the big seam bowler Manapreet Gony who hasn't played since March 31st.

Match Odds

Chennai have a big reputation but are in serious danger of missing out on the semi-finals. Given their decent net run rate, a win here should be enough, but the same was true on Thursday and they appeared to lose their nerve in front of an expectant home crowd. With Matthew Hayden struggling, they just don't seem to be that potent a threat and their bowling is amongst the worst in the tournament.

It is hard to know whether Punjab will be up for this game, given that they have nothing to play for, but they have won two of their last three games and have home advantage. It is a tricky one to weigh up, but given the form of these two teams, the [2.36] on offer about Punjab makes more appeal than the [1.72] you can get for a Chennai win.

Top Batsman

Muralia Vijay and Suresh Raina are the men in form for Chennai, but in this crunch match where nerves will play their part, it is probably best to side with experienced captain M S Dhoni at odds of around [4.5] or higher.

Mahela Jayawardene has come into his own since being promoted to the top of the batting order and with lingering doubts about the form of Kumar Sangakkara and Yuvraj Singh, the former Sri Lankan skipper rates the sensible choice at [3.5] or so.

Featured Market

The big Australian is looking his age these days and it makes sense to back Murali Vijay in the 'Hayden v Vijay' market at [2.0] or better.

Trivia

The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium is the highest cricket ground in India at 1317 metres above sea level.

Andrew Hughes says: Back Kings XI Punjab to win at [2.36]

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