The IPL kicks off again this weekend as eight franchise teams from India do battle in the bid to become IPL champions!
Last year’s winners, Mumbai Indians, beat Chennai Super Kings by one run in a truly thrilling final. Those two teams begin proceedings for this year’s tournament on Saturday and it promises to be another enthralling IPL.
That was the fourth time the Mumbai Indians won the title and they will be one of the favourites again as all eight teams look set to do battle with some of the best T20 players in the world.
Let’s take a look at the profile of all the sides and see if we can point you in the right direction of all the best bets!
Mumbai Indians – 4/1
The Mumbai Indians go into this 2020 edition as joint favourites and you can be sure they will be at the business end of the tournament.
They have a potentially destructive opening pair in Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock, expert all-rounder Kieron Pollard and superb death bowlers, Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah. They will be in the mood for more titles.
Sharma and De Kock will no doubt be amongst the tournament’s top run getters but we think Bumrah at 9/1 is very good value to be top wicket taker.
Sunrisers Hyderabad – 4/1
Captained by Australian opener David Warner and coached by Trevor Bayliss, Hyderabad have won the title just once in 2016 and many observers are tipping them once again for success.
They finished fourth last time around but they had Warner and England batsman Jonny Bairstow to thank for putting on some big scores.
With Kane Williamson and Rashid Khan also in their ranks, don’t bet against them to reach the final. Bairstow is in form as well, coming into the IPL after a dazzling century against Australia. He could be the one for top run scorer at 11/1.
Chennai Super Kings – 9/2
CSK are one of the stalwarts of this competition, and their record is outstanding, having finished outside the top two on just two occasions. Captained by Indian legend MS Dhoni, they are sure to have another good go at the title.
However, they look a little light in the batting but they do have plenty of experienced in their ranks such as Shane Watson, Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo.
Their bowling looks the stronger suit so 9/2 on Bravo to be CSK’s top wicket taker looks the way to go.
Delhi Capitals – 6/1
The Delhi Capitals have never won this competition and last year was their best finish since the opening tournament in 2008 as they finished third.
They have some world-class performers signed up this year such as Kagiso Rabada, Ravi Ashwin and Rishabh Pant. However, they lack some squad depth and could struggle if some of their players pick up injuries.
A lot will be on Rabada’s shoulders in the bowling department but Alex Carey could be a decent price for top run scorer for Delhi at 8/1. He is a good player of spin and scored a fabulous century against England on his last outing for Australia.
Kolkata Knight Riders – 6/1
The team with arguably the coolest name in the IPL, Kolkata haven’t won the tournament since 2014 so Dinesh Karthik and his squad will want to put that right.
They are blessed with a superb array of fast bowlers such as Pat Cummins and Lockie Ferguson as well as the cool head of England captain Eoin Morgan.
Andre Russell was player of the tournament last year as KKR finished third and he will be an important cog if Kolkata are to do well again. Russell’s bowling variations tend to do well in this format so at 9/2, back him to be the leading wicket taker for KKR.
Royal Challengers Bangalore – 13/2
RCB are captained by the world’s best batsman, Virat Kohli, and when you have someone like Kohli in your ranks, you are expected to go far.
They have real strength in their batting with the likes of Kohli, AB de Villiers and Aaron Finch to select. Those three would probably walk into most sides in the IPL.
Their bowling is definitely weaker but if Dale Steyn can rediscover his form, then RCB could be real dark horses for the final. In Adam Zampa, they have a leg spinner in fine form thanks to a very successful tour of England. A Bangalore final against Mumbai at 14/1 could well be the bet of the tournament.
Kings XI Punjab – 17/2
The Kings XI Punjab have never won this tournament and haven’t come close in recent years. However, they have a squad full of match winners such as Chris Gayle, Glenn Maxwell and England all-rounder Chris Jordan.
They are too inconsistent at times and if those guys don’t fire, it will be up to the less-heralded players to stand up. Their recent record in the IPL hasn’t seen them finish higher than fifth since 2014.
No-one likes to see a team do badly and sadly they look a good pick for the wooden spoon at 4/1.
Rajasthan Royals – 9/1
Although the Royals are the outsiders to win the IPL, we think their odds are quite big so if you fancy an outright winner, that 9/1 should be snapped up.
Captained by Steve Smith, they have the likes of England stars Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer and Jos Buttler in their squad. All three of those guys are match winners and if they are in form, the Royals have a chance at winning their first IPL since 2008.
Beyond those guys, the squad does have a light feel about it but they do have a decent bowling line-up should the likes of Oshane Thomas and Andrew Tye make the cut.
For the latest cricket odds, visit our dedicated NetBet Cricket Betting page.
