Indian Premier League - IPL / Tobias Gourlay / 18 May 2011 /

Tobias Gourlay looks at whether Saurav Ganguly can inspire Pune to upset a Kolkata team with a much greater need for the win

Pune Warriors

Yuvraj Singh's Pune lost to Deccan Chargers last time out and cannot now qualify for the semi-finals. Ex-India captain Saurav Ganguly should be fully motivated, however - the Prince of Kolkata comes up against his home-town franchise, who ditched him at the end of last season.

Kolkata Knight Riders

Eoin Morgan has left for England after a series of modest performances. His place at the top of the order might be taken by Kolkata's captain, Gautam Gambhir, whose aggressive style in this format should complement Jacques Kallis' more restrained approach. Shakib Al Hasan or Ryan ten Doeschate could take Morgan's place as an overseas player.

Match Odds

No team has won more than two-thirds of its IPL 2011 matches. Perhaps the 10 franchises are quite evenly matched or perhaps 20-over cricket is too condensed for the cream to rise to the top.

Whichever it is - and it might be neither - the value is with Pune at [2.58]. Deccan Chargers have recently shown that a perceived lack of motivation is no barrier to late-season success.

Not convinced? Perhaps you'll be persuaded if they bat second: the team batting second has won all five previous games at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai this season.

Opening Partnership

Gambhir and Kallis would be a formidably stable opening partnership for Kolkata. Jesse Ryder has opened Pune's batting with four different partners this season, none of who have entirely convinced. The Warriors have lost the Opening Partnership market in 7/12 matches so far.

Best Bet: Back-to-lay Pune Warriors @ [2.58] to beat Kolkata Knight Riders

You can now follow Tobias on Twitter: @tobiasgourlay

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