IPL Trader’s Tips: Who’ll secure the final playoff spot?

AH: CSK have been excellent at home. They have made some very slow starts in their innings, but have been able to catch up late on, and their spin attack combined with MS Dhoni’s captaincy makes them very hard to beat on slower tracks.

CN: Who do you think have been the standout individuals of the regular season?

AH: Andre Russell and David Warner have been the standout performers, with Dre Russ’s runs and strike rate truly jaw dropping.

Kagiso Rabada has bowled very well, but I like Mumbai’s chances going into the playoffs. Hardik Pandya’s return to form with the bat has been huge to the balance of their side, and great news for India going into the World Cup as 3/1 second-favourites too.

CN: What markets have caught your eye ahead of this weekend’s games?

AH: RCB at home to Hyderabad on Saturday is intriguing. I wouldn’t be surprised if RCB cause a surprise.

The result of that game will determine whether Sunday’s final group games have anything riding on them. Mumbai at home to Kolkata has the two teams who hit the most Sixes playing at the Six-hitting Wankhede stadium. Total Sixes in that game will be very, very high.

CN: Looking ahead to the playoffs, Chennai are 6/4 favourites to claim a fourth IPL title. Do you think they’ll go all the way?

AH: There’s always a chance of an upset in T20 cricket. However, the playoff format rewards the top two teams in the league, who get two bites at the cherry to qualify for the final.

That’s why Chennai are now clear favourites, having all but booked their spot in the top two. I think Mumbai will join them, and I think they can beat Chennai away from their home ground, and this year the final will be in Hyderabad.

View the latest IPL odds.

Big IPL previews, betting tips and transfer news – Coral has it all.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.