The first couple of matches are always about getting the ball rolling in a long tournament where the teams go through cycles of form and they are important in helping team management take an uncomplicated view. Rajasthan Royals open their season with a clean slate when they take on a depleted home side, Delhi Daredevils, who had an insipid outing in Kolkata in the first match of the tournament.
Royals are without one man who is likely to be a constant in their equation this season - Shane Watson, who is not available for this match - and that opens up a vital spot for them to test one of their imports. In-form Sri Lanka batsman Kusal Perera is almost certain in the XI but the choice of other three could depend on the surface laid out in Delhi. The other interesting bit for Royals would be how their captain-cum-coach Rahul Dravid copes with his first taste of competitive cricket in almost a year. The longer he takes to find his groove, the more muddled the strategies would get.
Daredevils are still handicapped by the absence of two of their impact players - Virender Sehwag, who is out with back spasms, and Morne Morkel, who is playing domestic Twenty20 in South Africa. But this time, they are playing at home, against a not-so-daunting opponent they have beaten every time at home and the team would hope to put up a better batting performance to get a move on.
PunterPolls Prediction
Yesterday Hydrabad won a stunner, this is called IPL - perfect defination of cricket. Two back to back thrilling games, MI lost with couple of runs and now Pune fall off while chasing 127 with stars batsmen.
Its really been difficult and challenging to predict this format, especially when both teams have mix of international players as well as domestic players. We had already done a mistake in the opener by predicting Delhi before the start of the match and at that day we had decided to predict only when will be confident enough.
So, we didn't predicted anything about yesterday encounter but the poll results itself can explain the story that match went against the punters wish. But will try to post our favourite team for both the matches today. Stay tuned with us, keep visiting this page, members do regular check your emails as we used to notify our members via email about our predictions and do like our facebook page to stay connected.
If you are not a member, you can now join us using your existing Facbook, Twitter or Google account too.
Its second strategic timeout Rajasthan scored 127/2 in 16 overs. Our experts believe Rajasthan Royals should win this game.
After the top two teams of last year's points table kicked-off the carnival on Wednesday, the bottom two will meet in Hyderabad on Friday. While the host city has a new team - Sunrisers Hyderabad - led by the same captain Kumar Sangakkara, Pune Warriors have a new captain - Angelo Mathews - after Michael Clarke was ruled out of the entire season.
Sunrisers will feel the absence of an in-from Shikhar Dhawan, who was Deccan Chargers' leading run-scorer last season. After retaining 20 players from the Chargers, Sunrisers revamped their leadership, bringing together Tom Moody and Sangakkara, who had worked together as coach and captain for Sri Lanka. They also have overseas pace options in Dale Steyn and Clint McKay, and allrounders Darren Sammy and Thisara Perera, but only Steyn picks himself.
Warriors had an unsettled team last year and the addition of Mathews, Ajantha Mendis, Ross Taylor, Abhishek Nayar, and the return of Yuvraj Singh, will bolster their prospects. Steve Smith is more a batsman than allrounder these days and Warriors will be tempted to include Clarke's replacement, Aaron Finch, who scored two fifties and a hundred against England Lions recently. With Marlon Samuels, Luke Wright, Wayne Parnell also in the squad, a right balance might not be easy to find.
PunterPolls Prediction
Yesterday we had predicted that RCB should win this game at the half time and most of the people had missed that as we wrote that we will write our prediction after toss and before the match begins.
But as you guys know, cricket is very unpredictable game and T20 is nearly impossible to predict as the game change within an over. Predicting a game before it start is like head and tail, and our experts try to post their opinion when they are confident enough.
So be patient and stay tuned with us, keep visiting this page, members do regular check your emails as we used to notify our members via email about our predictions and do like our facebook page to stay connected.
If you are not a member, you can now join us using your existing Facbook, Twitter or Google account too.
How loyalties and allegiances change in the IPL. Anil Kumble's association with Royal Challengers Bangalore was long and high-profile, as a player, captain, and mentor. He is known to have played a critical role in team strategy, selections, auction picks, all for a team representing his hometown. He is in the opposing camp now, hired by Mumbai Indians as their team mentor, and will have to plot against a side he helped strengthen over five seasons on his home ground.
An immediate problem to address for Kumble's team is the absence of Lasith Malinga from the opening game due to injury. A prized asset of the Mumbai side, Malinga is still recovering from a sore back he suffered during the home series against Bangladesh. His replacement apart, Mumbai can compensate for that loss with runs from a power-packed batting line-up, though it'll be interesting to see if Sachin Tendulkar and his opening partner [there were as many as eight last season] are able to retain their combination for a good part of the season.
The Royal Challengers are among the most passionately followed teams in the IPL and, for a tournament centred on the concept of city loyalties, Bangalore has lapped up its team like no other. But the title has proved elusive, despite twice having made the final. Led by Virat Kohli this season, Royal Challengers have as many as 15 seamers in their squad - though one of them, Zaheer Khan, is ruled out of the opening match with a side strain. It could be said that Kumble's inputs may have made their job easier had he not switched over, but how they manage their personnel is one of several potential challenges this season could throw up.
PunterPolls Prediction
In Yesterday's match we have seen that Sehwag and Morkel didn't play for Delhi Daredevils and this was one of the prime reason of their loss against KKR.
From now onwards, our prediction will be mention in this particular section after the toss and before the match begins. However, please stay in touch with us on Facebook during the match.
Its half time now and Banglore has managed to put decent total on-board 156/5. Betting odds: 70p MUmbai.
For much of IPL 2012, Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Daredevils were the form teams favoured to make it to the summit clash. Knight Riders got there and won it, putting the horrors of seasons past behind them. Daredevils always promised so much, but in 2012 they inexplicably left out top wicket-taker Morne Morkel from the knockout against Chennai Super Kings, a decision that contributed to their heavy defeat.
The pre-season build-up has been bad news for Daredevils, who have had to suffer high-profile pullouts. Kevin Pietersen will miss the entire tournament due to a knee injury sustained in New Zealand, while Jesse Ryder was set to fly to India before being assaulted in Christchurch. The franchise has just replaced him with the Australian batsman Ben Rohrer, but their troubles do not end there.
Virender Sehwag, who captained Daredevils last year, has been ruled out of the opening game on Wednesday after he suffered back spasms and was advised rest. Morkel will miss at least the first game because he is in South Africa representing Titans in the final stages of their domestic T20 competition. Mahela Jayawardene, who took over as full-time captain, will have to deal with a depleted batting line-up. Read more
Stats and trivia
Knight Riders have a 5-4 edge in 10 IPL games between these two teams (one match abandoned). In the last five matches between these two teams, Knight Riders have won four and lost one.
In IPL 2012, Knight Riders' spinners took the most wickets at the best average and economy rate: 43 at 19.65, conceding 6.34 runs per over. Daredevils' spinners were the least effective, taking 18 wickets at 40.72, with an economy rate of 7.63.
The average run-rate for Daredevils' opening partnerships in all IPL matches is 8.87 runs per over, the best among all teams. Knight Riders' opening stands have been far more sedate - they average 7.46 runs per over.
1st match – Kolkata Knight Riders v Delhi Daredevils
Match 1: KKR v Daredevils, 3 April
Delhi Daredevils (49% Votes)
Kolkata Knight Riders (51% Votes)
2nd match – Royal Challengers Bangalore v Mumbai Indians
Match 2: RCB v Mum Indians, 4 April
Mumbai Indians (44% Votes)
Royal Challenger Banglore (59% Votes)
3rd match – Sunrisers Hyderabad v Pune Warriors
Match 3: Risers v Warriors, 5 April
Pune Warriors (64% Votes)
Sunrisers Hydrabad (36% Votes)
4th match – Delhi Daredevils v Rajasthan Royals
Match 4: Daredevils v Royals, 6 April
Rajasthan Royals (39% Votes)
Delhi Daredevils (61% Votes)
5th match – Chennai Super Kings v Mumbai Indians
Match 5: CSK v Mum Indians, 6 April
Mumbai Indians (43% Votes)
Chennai Super Kings (57% Votes)
6th match – Pune Warriors v Kings XI Punjab
Match 6: Warriors v Kings XI, 7 April
Kings XI Punjab (45% Votes)
Pune Warriors (55% Votes)
7th match – Sunrisers Hyderabad v Royal Challengers Bangalore
Match 7: Risers v RCB, 7 April
Royal Challengers Bangalore (67% Votes)
Sunrisers Hyderabad (33% Votes)
8th match – Rajasthan Royals v Kolkata Knight Riders
Match 8: Royals v KKR, 8 April
Kolkata Knight Riders (51% Votes)
Rajasthan Royals (49% Votes)
9th match – Royal Challenger Banglore v Sunrisers Hydrabad
Match 9: RCB v Risers, 9 April
Sunrisers Hyderabad (33% Votes)
Royal Challengers Bangalore (67% Votes)
10th match – Mumbai Indians v Delhi Daredevils
Match 10: Mum Indians v Daredevils, 9 April
Delhi Daredevils (43% Votes)
Mumbai Indians (57% Votes)
11th match – Kings XI Punjab v Chennai Super Kings
Match 11: Kings XI v CSK, 10 April
Chennai Super Kings (57% Votes)
Kings XI Punjab (43% Votes)
12th match – Royal Challengers Bangalore v Kolkata Knight Riders
Match 12: RCB v KKR, 11 April
Kolkata Knight Riders (45% Votes)
Royal Challengers Bangalore (55% Votes)
13th match – Pune Warriors v Rajasthan Royals
Match 13: Warriors v Royals, 11 April
Rajasthan Royals (55% Votes)
Pune Warriors (45% Votes)
14th match – Delhi Daredevils v Sunrisers Hyderabad
Match 14: Daredevils v Risers, 12 April
Sunrisers Hyderabad (36% Votes)
Delhi Daredevils (64% Votes)
15th match – Mumbai Indians v Pune Warriors
Match 15: Mum Indians v Warriors, 13 April
Pune Warriors (38% Votes)
Mumbai Indians (62% Votes)
16th match – Chennai Super Kings v Royal Challengers Bangalore
Match 16: CSK v RCB, 13 April
Royal Challengers Bangalore (40% Votes)
Chennai Super Kings (60% Votes)
17th match – Kolkata Knight Riders v Sunrisers Hyderabad
Match 17: KKR v Risers, 14 April
Sunrisers Hyderabad (40% Votes)
Kolkata Knight Riders (60% Votes)
18th match – Rajasthan Royals v Kings XI Punjab
Match 18: Royals v Kings XI, 14 April
Kings XI Punjab (40% Votes)
Rajasthan Royals (60% Votes)
19th match – Chennai Super Kings v Pune Warriors
Match 19: CSK v Warriors, 15 April
Pune Warriors (38% Votes)
Chennai Super Kings (62% Votes)
20th match – Kings XI Punjab v Kolkata Knight Riders
Match 20: Kings XI v KKR, 16 April
Kolkata Knight Riders (63% Votes)
Kings XI Punjab (37% Votes)
21st match – Royal Challengers Bangalore v Delhi Daredevils
Match 21: RCB v Daredevils, 16 April
Delhi Daredevils (41% Votes)
Royal Challengers Bangalore (60% Votes)
22nd match – Pune Warriors v Sunrisers Hyderabad
Match 22: Warriors v Risers, 17 April
Sunrisers Hyderabad (45% Votes)
Pune Warriors (55% Votes)
23rd match – Rajasthan Royals v Mumbai Indians
Match 23: Royals v Mum Indians, 17 April
Mumbai Indians (62% Votes)
Rajasthan Royals (38% Votes)
24th match – Delhi Daredevils v Chennai Super Kings
Match 24: Daredevils v CSK, 18 April
Chennai Super Kings (49% Votes)
Delhi Daredevils (51% Votes)
25th match – Sunrisers Hyderabad v Kings XI Punjab
Match 25: Risers v Kings XI, 19 April
Kings XI Punjab (42% Votes)
Sunrisers Hyderabad (58% Votes)
26th match – Kolkata Knight Riders v Chennai Super Kings
Match 26: KKR v CSK, 20 April
Chennai Super Kings (58% Votes)
Kolkata Knight Riders (42% Votes)
27th match – Royal Challengers Bangalore v Rajasthan Royals
Match 27: RCB v Royals, 20 April
Rajasthan Royals (35% Votes)
Royal Challengers Bangalore (65% Votes)
28th match – Delhi Daredevils v Mumbai Indians
Match 28: Daredevils v MI, 21 April
Mumbai Indians (59% Votes)
Delhi Daredevils (41% Votes)
29th match – Kings XI Punjab v Pune Warriors
Match 29: Kings XI v Warriors, 21 April
Pune Warriors (47% Votes)
Kings XI Punjab (53% Votes)
30th match – Chennai Super Kings v Rajasthan Royals
Match 30: CSK v Royals, 22 April
Rajasthan Royals (37% Votes)
Chennai Super Kings (63% Votes)
31st match – Royal Challengers Bangalore v Pune Warriors
Match 31: RCB v Warriors, 23 April
Pune Warriors (36% Votes)
Royal Challengers Bangalore (65% Votes)
32nd match – Kings XI Punjab v Delhi Daredevils
Match 32: Kings XI v Daredevils, 23 April
Delhi Daredevils (71% Votes)
Kings XI Punjab (29% Votes)
33rd match – Kolkata Knight Riders v Mumbai Indians
Match 33: KKR v Mum Indians, 24 April
Mumbai Indians (54% Votes)
Kolkata Knight Riders (47% Votes)
34th match – Chennai Super Kings v Sunrisers Hyderabad
Match 34: CSK v Risers, 25 April
Sunrisers Hyderabad (43% Votes)
Chennai Super Kings (57% Votes)
35th match –Kolkata Knight Riders v Kings XI Punjab
Match 35: KKR v Kings XI, 26 April
Kings XI Punjab (35% Votes)
Kolkata Knight Riders (65% Votes)
36th match – Rajasthan Royals v Sunrisers Hyderabad
Match 36: Royals v Risers, 27 April
Sunrisers Hyderabad (42% Votes)
Rajasthan Royals (60% Votes)
37th match – Mumbai Indians v Royal Challengers Bangalore
Match 37: Mum Indians v RCB, 27 April
Royal Challengers Bangalore (56% Votes)
Mumbai Indians (48% Votes)
38th match – Chennai Super Kings v Kolkata Knight Riders
Match 38: CSK v KKR, 28 April
Kolkata Knight Riders (35% Votes)
Chennai Super Kings (65% Votes)
39th match – Delhi Daredevils v Pune Warriors
Match 39: Daredevils v Warriors, 28 April
Pune Warriors (41% Votes)
Delhi Daredevils (60% Votes)
40th match – Rajasthan Royals v Royal Challengers Bangalore
Match 40: Royals v RCB, 29 April
Royal Challengers Bangalore (59% Votes)
Rajasthan Royals (43% Votes)
41st match – Mumbai Indians v Kings XI Punjab
Match 41: Mum Indians v Kings XI, 29 April
Kings XI Punjab (27% Votes)
Mumbai Indians (74% Votes)
42nd match – Pune Warriors v Chennai Super Kings
Match 42: Warriors v CSK, 30 April
Chennai Super Kings (69% Votes)
Pune Warriors (33% Votes)
43rd match – Sunrisers Hyderabad v Mumbai Indians
Match 43: Risers v Mum Indians, 1 May
Mumbai Indians (55% Votes)
Sunrisers Hyderabad (46% Votes)
44th match – Delhi Daredevils v Kolkata Knight Riders
Match 44: Daredeils v KKR, 1 May
Kolkata Knight Riders (61% Votes)
Delhi Daredevils (41% Votes)
45th match – Chennai Super Kings v Kings XI Punjab
Match 45: CSK v Kings XI, 2 May
Kings XI Punjab (42% Votes)
Chennai Super Kings (58% Votes)
46th match – Pune Warriors v Royal Challengers Bangalore
Match 46: Warriors v RCB, 2 May
Royal Challengers Bangalore (74% Votes)
Pune Warriors (28% Votes)
47th match – Kolkata Knight Riders v Rajasthan Royals
Match 47: KKR v Royals, 3 May
Rajasthan Royals (54% Votes)
Kolkata Knight Riders (46% Votes)
48th match –Sunrisers Hyderabad v Delhi Daredevils
Match 48: Risers v Daredevils, 4 May
Delhi Daredevils (40% Votes)
Sunrisers Hyderabad (60% Votes)
49th match – Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings
Match 49: Mumbai Indians v CSK, 5 May
Mumbai Indians (50% Votes)
Chennai Super Kings (50% Votes)
50th match – Rajasthan Royals v Pune Warriors
Match 50: Royals v Warriors, 5 May
Pune Warriors (29% Votes)
Rajasthan Royals (71% Votes)
51st match – Kings XI v Royal Challengers Banglore
Match 51: Kings XI v RCB, 6 May
Royal Challenger Banglore (67% Votes)
Kings XI (33% Votes)
52nd match – Rajasthan Royals v Warriors
Match 52: Royals v Daredevils, 7 May
Delhi Daredevils (32% Votes)
Rajasthan Royals (68% Votes)
53rd match – Mumbai Indians v Kolkata Knight Riders
Match 53: Mum Indians v KKR, 7 May
Kolkata Knight Riders (29% Votes)
Mumbai Indians (71% Votes)
54th match – Sunrisers Hyderabad v Chennai Super Kings
Match 54: Risers v CSK, 8 May
Chennai Super Kings (51% Votes)
Sunrisers Hyderabad (49% Votes)
55th match – Kings XI Punjab v Rajasthan Royals
Match 55: Kings XI v Royals, 9 May
Rajasthan Royals (44% Votes)
Kings XI Punjab (56% Votes)
56th match – Pune Warriors v Kolkata Knight Riders
Match 56: Warriors v KKR, 9 May
Kolkata Knight Riders (63% Votes)
Pune Warriors (37% Votes)
57th match – Delhi Daredevils v Royal Challengers Bangalore
Match 57: Daredevils v RCB, 10 May
Royal Challengers Bangalore (76% Votes)
Delhi Daredevils (24% Votes)
58th match – Pune Warriors v Mumbai Indians
Match 58: Mum Indians v Warriors, 11 May
Pune Warriors (22% Votes)
Mumbai Indians (78% Votes)
59th match – Kings XI Punjab v Sunrisers Hyderabad
Match 59: Kings XI v Risers, 11 May
Sunrisers Hyderabad (56% Votes)
Kings XI Punjab (45% Votes)
60th match – Kolkata Knight Riders v Royal Challengers Bangalore
Match 60: KKR v RCB, 12 May
Royal Challengers Bangalore (72% Votes)
Kolkata Knight Riders (29% Votes)
61st match – Rajasthan Royals v Chennai Super Kings
Match 61: Royals v CSK, 12 May
Chennai Super Kings (61% Votes)
Rajasthan Royals (40% Votes)
62nd match – Mumbai Indians v Sunrisers Hyrdabad
Match 62: Mum Indians v Risers, 13 May
Sunrisers Hyderabad (36% Votes)
Mumbai Indians (65% Votes)
63rd match – Royal Challenger Banglore v Kings XI
Match 63: RCB v Kings XI, 14 May
Kings XI Punjab (31% Votes)
Royal Challengers Bangalore (69% Votes)
64th match – Chennai Super Kings v Daredevils
Match 64: CSK v Daredevils, 14 May
Delhi Daredevils (25% Votes)
Chennai Super Kings (75% Votes)
65th match – Kolkata Knight Riders v Rajasthan Royals
Match 65: KKR v Warriors, 15 May
Pune Warriors (24% Votes)
Kolkata Knight Riders (76% Votes)
66th match – Mumbai Indians v Rajasthan Royals
Match 66: Mum Indians v Royals, 15 May
Rajasthan Royals (47% Votes)
Mumbai Indians (53% Votes)
67th match – Kings XI Punjab v Daredevils
Match 67: Kings XI v Daredevils, 16 May
Delhi Daredevils (29% Votes)
Kings XI Punjab (71% Votes)
68th match – Sunrisers Hyderabad v Rajasthan Royals
Match 68: Risers v Royals, 17 May
Rajasthan Royals (48% Votes)
Sunrisers Hyderabad (53% Votes)
69th match – Kings XI Punjab v Mumbai Indians
Match 69: Kings XI v MI, 18 May
Mumbai Indians (61% Votes)
Kings XI Punjab (39% Votes)
70th match – Royal Challengers Banglore v Chennai Super Kings
Match 70: RCB v CSK, 18 May
Chennai Super Kings (42% Votes)
Royal Challengers Bangalore (58% Votes)
71st match – Pune Warriors v Delhi Daredevils
Match 71: Warriors v Daredevils, 19 May
Delhi Daredevils (51% Votes)
Pune Warriors (49% Votes)
72nd match – Sunrisers Hyderabad v Kolkata Knight RidersRajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad
Match 72: Risers v KKR, 19 May
Kolkata Knight Riders (41% Votes)
Sunrisers Hyderabad (60% Votes)
Qualifier 1 – TBC v TBC (1st v 2nd)MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
Eliminator – TBC v TBC (3rd v 4th)MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
Qualifier 2 – TBC v TBC (Winner Eliminator v Loser Qualifier 1)Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Final – TBC v TBCEden Gardens, Kolkata
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