The opening encounter of the IPL 2011 playoffs will see the Royal Challengers Bangalore take on the Chennai Super Kings in the first qualifier, for a place in the final. The game, 71st of the tournament, will be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Bangalore v Chennai odds:
As coincidence would have it, the two teams, Bangalore (1/1 at
William Hill) and Chennai (1/1 at
Coral) had met in the penultimate league game as well. The game was a home match for Bangalore and they won with such ease that it barely looked like it was the defending champion that had come out to play.
The change in venue may help the Super Kings, but they need to solve their number one problem – Chris Gayle’s presence in the top of the order. Without that, the Super Kings will probably end up facing what most other sides have had to endure – a blast from Gayle that takes the game away.
Ground and Pitch:
Gauging from the previous few games played at the Wankhede stadium, there cannot be too much doubt that the pitch will slow down a tad and batting could become difficult. Batting first will be a good option.
Player News:
Chennai should go into the game with the same playing eleven that had lost their game to the Bangalore side. MS Dhoni (5/1 at
Boylesports) was the sole saviour for the side in that game and without his knock, the team would have probably scored not more than 80. Of course, Michael Hussey (7/2 at
Totesport) hasn’t done too badly at the top and he usually comes good in games of importance, like this one.
The side needs something substantially more from one of the two, Murali Vijay (4/1 at
William Hill) or Suresh Raina (7/2 at
Blue Square), both of whom have been patchy with their form.
The Royal Challengers Bangalore have been often touted as a one-man show thanks to the presence of the towering Chris Gayle (11/5 at
Totesport) at the top. However, in AB de Villiers (4/1 at
Totesport) and Virat Kohli (7/2 at
BetFred) they have two who can hold their own when the chips are down.
The Chennai Super Kings will look to get through to their middle-order, which has a mix of inexperience and bad form – Luke Pomersbach (13/2 at
Totesport) and Mohammad Kaif (16/1 at
Totesport) have both been without runs. Bangalore may substitute Mayank Agarwal with someone like an Asad Pathan in the lower order.
Prediction:
Given that the two were at the top of the pile, separated by only a point, it is always going to be a difficult call to make. But if I were to stick my head out, Chennai will be favourites by that teeny-weeny margin.