Richard Mann previews the opening weekend of IPL 2025, with three matches covered and a couple of recommended bets to consider.
Cricket betting tips: IPL
2pts Sunrisers Hyderabad highest first six overs score against Rajasthan Royals at 4/6 (General)
2pts Chennai Super Kings to beat Mumbai Indians at 10/11 (Sky Bet, Betfred)
Chennai Super Kings v Mumbai Indians
- When: 14:00, Sunday
- Where: Chennai
- How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
In Sunday’s second offering from the IPL, Chennai Super Kings play host to Mumbai Indians.
This fixture pits the two most successful franchises in the history of the IPL against each other, but for Mumbai, things have been a struggle more recently. They finished bottom of the league table last season.
As a result, a big revamp of their squad was carried out at the latest mega auction, with Trent Boult and Ryan Rickelton two big signings to note.
However, Jasprit Bumrah isn’t expected to play on Sunday as he continues his recovery from a serious back injury, and the hosts look a good bet at 10/11.
Even when not quite as good last term, CSK still won five of their seven home fixtures to enhance an already outstanding record in Chennai.
With a strong and experienced spin attack – boosted further by the captures of Ravi Ashwin and Noor Ahmed this season – CSK have always been incredibly hard to beat at home in turning conditions these familiar faces know so well.
And in addition to those singings, Devon Conway is fit again having missed last year through injury, while we can surely expect better from superstar Rachin Ravindra who failed to fire in the IPL last season but was leading runscorer at the recent Champions Trophy.
This looks a stronger CSK outfit this year, as I’ve argued in my outright preview here, while the jury is still out on Mumbai, especially when without Bumrah.
Given that wonderful home record, CSK rate a good bet to start the season with a win.
Updated at 1000 GMT on 23/03/25
Related links
- Richard Mann's IPL outright preview
- Richard Mann's IPL specials preview
- Paul Krishnamurty's IPL guide to the grounds
- Click here for Sky Bet's cricket odds
- Latest Cricket...Only Bettor Podcast
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