Indian Premier League - IPL / Jaymes Monte / 28 April 2011 /

It is getting to the must-win stage for Pune Warriors while victory for Bangalore would edge them closer to a top-four finish.

Bangalore
Chris Gayle's arrival has rejuvenated the Royal Challengers and their top order is now the most intimidating in the IPL. There is confusion surrounding the date of Tillakaratne Dilshan's departure from the IPL but for now he will continue to open the batting with Gayle. Virat Kohli has been in scintillating form with the bat and provides a useful extra bowling option for shrewd captain Daniel Vettori.

Pune
Two fixtures in three days against Chennai Super Kings have ended Pune's honeymoon period in the IPL. In both matches their top order failed to fire leaving Yuvraj Singh and Robin Uthappa dangerously exposed and with it all to do. Alfonso Thomas and Jerome Taylor are capable of keeping things tight with the ball for periods if the pitch assists.

Match Odds
If Jesse Ryder fires at the top of the order for Pune Warriors anything can happen, but Yuvraj's reluctance to change things around when they lose a couple of early wickets has cost them dearly in their last two games.

Conversely, Bangalore are not overly reliant on one man at the top of the order and Vettori's captaincy in the field regularly saves them 10-20 runs. It is difficult to see the Pune bowlers halting the Bangalore juggernaut and odds of [1.77] on a third consecutive win for the home side look generous.

Highest 6 Over Total
With Yuvraj and Uthappa coming in lower down the order Pune have tended to score the majority of their runs at the back end of innings. Bangalore's firepower though is congregated at the top of the order and they place the emphasis on getting off to a quick start. On that basis, back the Royal Challengers to have the highest first six over total at [1.8].

Best Bet: Back Bangalore highest six over total @ [1.8]

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