IPL 2012

Match 27: Daredevils v Warriors, 21 April

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Scoreboard: http://www.espncricinfo.com/indian-premier-league-2012/engine/match/548333.html

Result: Delhi Won

Favourite team: Delhi with 67p

Pre-match review:

This is going to be a fantastic ride. Not because both the skippers are yet to make a mark in this season so far but also because both teams had close finishes in their previous fixtures and none of them wants to repeat it.

Warriors don't look good on the away matches and Daredevils are in supreme form as far as run chase is considered. It is surprising that Viru decided to bowl first on Kotla which generally embraces the one who bats first here. Maybe he has become complacent about their bat-second approach and thinks that every target is achievable for them which is rightly so. Couple of changes are on the cards and Warriors look good in this area. Bringing Thomas in the Warriors squad is certainly better than calling left arm spinner to Daredevils camp. Spinning options against Warriors are not going to work as Gangly and Co are already good against them.

Despite the usual IPL flair of last-ball finishes and underdog becoming heroes, I'll still go with Daredevils as they are having their best and new-found batsmen and bowlers on top of their game right now.

Final words from editor: ...I'll still go with Daredevils as they are having their best and new-found batsmen and bowlers on top of their game right now.

Who will win Delhi v Pune? 21 April

  • Pune Warriors (44% Votes)
  • Delhi Daredevils (56% Votes)

Match 26: Super Kings v Royals, 21 April

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Scoreboard: http://www.espncricinfo.com/indian-premier-league-2012/engine/match/548332.html

Result: Chennai Won

Favourite team: Chennai with 69p

Pre-match review: 

Galiyon me sansani hai, ek banda shaher me aaya hai. The one player who embodies these lines from the killer title track of Agent Vinod is unquestionably Ajinkya Rahane. He is on the rampage and handling every team equally without any discrimination. How he gets addressed by the national team skipper will be treat to watch.

Despite their current positions in the points table, both the teams are extremely competitive. These two featured in the first IPL final and from then onwards, Royals have little to celebrate about their confrontations. One thing which is very peculiar and contrary to popular belief about Super Kings is their infallibility when they bat second. Royals also haven't fared bad in the only chase they lost this season. As far as the batting and bowling comparisons go, Royals are far better than Super Kings. But one has to be very confident to challenge MSD on the home turf of Super Kings which surely has gained momentum from last couple of matches. Also, that opening pair in last match has certainly did the trick and it's highly unlikely that they discontinue it in this match.

Super Kings must be feeling lucky to be favorite in this game. I'll still go with Royals on this notwithstanding the privileges Super Kings are endowed with.

Final words from editor: ..... I'll still go with Royals on this notwithstanding the privileges Super Kings are endowed with.

Who will win CSK v Royals? 21 April

  • Rajasthan Royals (55% Votes)
  • Chennai Super Kings (45% Votes)

Match 25: Kings XI v RCB, 20 April

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Scoreboard: http://www.espncricinfo.com/indian-premier-league-2012/engine/match/548331.html

Result: RCB Won

Favorite team: RCB with 55p

Pre-match review:

The sea has been parted and IPL is split wide open now. This match will play tricks with the team which has just gained confidence by that last-ball Six flown off Tiwary's bat and the one which has broken the 2-match winning streak so pitiably it's better for them not to think back about it anymore. Both are placed in bottom 3 and have a chance to equal number of wins with those of losses with this fixture.

The big news is coming. A Gilchrist won't be playing in this match due to hamstring tear. D Hussey will be leading Kings XI in the presence of Azhar Mehmood, most probably. This could prove the blessing in disguise as Kings XI will be adding an all-rounder in the expense of aging and out-of-form skipper to their squad. On the other hand, Challengers can not get away with all the tactical errors they are prone to make by showing last match innings as their sole firecracking achievement in the recent times. One rule is straight for them. Whenever Gayle and ABD perform, they win. And when they don't perform or play, Murali has to play and do some magic for them. On the bowling front, both the teams are so similar one can not rate one team over another as far as IPL format is considered.

I am expecting some fightback from Kings XI for out-and-out entertainment value it will offer. But I'll still go with Challengers to grab another victory and get placed besides other survivors like MI, PWI, KKR and CSK in the fray.

Final word from editor: ...But I'll still go with Challengers to grab another victory and get placed besides other survivors like MI, PWI, KKR and CSK in the fray.

Who will win Kings XI v RCB? - 20 April

  • Royal Challenger Banglore (68% Votes)
  • KIngs XI Punjab (32% Votes)

Match 24, Super Kings Vs Warriors, 19 April

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Scoreboard: http://www.espncricinfo.com/indian-premier-league-2012/engine/match/548330.html

Result: Chennai Won

Favorite team: CSK with 65p

Pre-match review

After displaying a dismal performance in the last match against spinners of the same opponent, Super Kings want to get at least one win in their kit to lull those who question the overall team formation and the captaincy skills of MSD who is not at all in the news for good reasons from last few months.

This match will be dependent on the selection and injury woes of both the teams. If the rumor is to be believed, MSD, A Morkel and Dinda will be out of this match. If it happens so, Super Kings will lose the steam they desparately need to boost the confidence of their players. Warriors on the other hand are yet to regain consciousness from 21 runs they conceded to ABD and S Tiwary in the last over of Tuesday's match. Their consistent opening partnership is the biggest advantage so far. Ganguly has credibility on his side as far as captaincy is considered, but he is yet to make a mark on the batting front. One, who is not consistently good in batting or bowling, can not motivate the team members for the longer time.

So yet another MSD vs Ganguly fixture in 5 days. This time it's MA Chidambaram stadium and Super Kings will be delighted to get some rest and the batting-friendly pitch to script a fresh chapter from now on. I will go with the firepower, against form, again and think that Super Kings have a upper hand in this meet.

Final word from editor: ....Super Kings have a upper hand in this meet.

 

Who will win CSK Vs Warriors? 19 April

  • Pune Warriors (63% Votes)
  • Chennai Super Kings (38% Votes)

 

Match 23, Daredevils Vs Chargers, 19 April

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Scoreboard: http://www.espncricinfo.com/indian-premier-league-2012/engine/match/548321.html

Result: Delhi Won

Favorite team: Delhi with 68p

Pre-match review:

Chargers provide Daredevils the opportunity to be on top of the table by sidelining the team against which they lost in the earlier match. Chargers could have achieved this possible task easily. But this time, they have Duminy and Dhawan in the top form.

There's very little to discuss about Daredevils. Everybody knows that they are hard to beat, considering the alarming batting line up and the impressive mix of the bowlers they have. The only thing which everyone is talking about is what would happen if Delhi bats first, which they haven't done in this season so far, and defend the score in the second half by trusting their bowling squad. This is Kotla and nobody wants to bat second on this pitch. It will be interesting to see Viru's decision if he wins the toss.

Chargers need their bowling and fielding departments to get aligned. They've been through enough hell so not to get panicked by finding themselves in the uncomfortable position. So in effect, they are better-prepared as long as mental strength is considered. I'll still go with Daredevils though as they have more match-winners than their adversery.

Final word from editor: ....I'll still go with Daredevils though as they have more match-winners than their adversery.

Who will win DD vs Chargers? 19 April

  • Deccan Chargers (44% Votes)
  • Delhi Daredevils (56% Votes)