Cricket betting tips: IPL 2021 match and in-play previews, best bets & TV guide

Sunrisers Hyderabad v Royal Challengers Bangalore

• When: 1500 BST, Wednesday April 14
• Where: M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• Betting pointer: Royal Challengers Bangalore to beat Sunrisers Hyderabad

Our outright selections ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE got their season off to a perfect start when winning a final ball thriller against reigning champions Mumbai Indians on Friday while Sunrisers Hyderabad gave themselves too much to do against Kolkata Knight Riders.

Sunrisers ended RCB's 2020 campaign in an eliminator when Virat Kohli surprisingly moved up to open the batting. It didn't work on that occasion but Kohli looks set to maintain his spot at the top of the order in 2021 and got off to a reasonable start in the opener with 33 from 29 and, of course, came into the tournament in good form.

Sunrisers' strong bowling attack disappointed skipper David Warner in the opener but he feels his side will improve as they gain familiarity with this venue. Trevor Bayliss seems set to stick with the opening partnership that ultimately served his side so well last season despite Warner and Wriddhaman Saha combining for just 10 runs while Jonny Bairstow knocked up 55 at number four.

Jason Roy is still unavailable due to quarantine after his late arrival but Bairstow (who may not have played at all had Kane Williamson been ready to roll) may remain down the order as Sunrisers' scoring rate in the last five overs has been the worst of any team in the IPL across the last two seasons. As such, they could continue to look to the Yorkshireman to provide that firepower in the all-important death overs.

They got off to a slow start last year but still made the play-offs and, while that could be the case again, RCB have got out of the traps quickly and can take full advantage.

Harshal Patel mixed yorkers and slower balls to great effect in picking up a five-fer on Friday while AB de Villiers, not for the first time, did enough to see his side home, more or less, and Glenn Maxwell started well with 39 from number four. RCB look the better balanced side at this early stage, even if the experiment of opening with Washington Sundar didn't come off.

Rajasthan Royals v Delhi Capitals

• When: 1500 BST, Thursday April 15
• Where: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: Consider backing Delhi Capitals if chasing

DELHI CAPITALS, runners-up in 2020, carried on from where they left off with a facile seven-wicket defeat of Chennai Super Kings.

This was all despite the absence of Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, and Delhi's depth was highlighted by the 'back-up' pair of Tom Curran and Chris Woakes making their Delhi debuts and the former picking up the key wicket of Ambati Rayudu while the Warwickshire man ended with 2-18 from three overs.

Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw set the tone, putting on 138 before Shaw fell for 72 (off 38) and the game was as good as won.

Sanju Samson scored the first ton of the IPL season but even his heroics couldn't prevent Rajasthan Royals from falling to defeat against Punjab Kings who won by four runs after posting 221-6. That was despite a poor start in losing Ben Stokes and Manon Vohra cheaply, but Jos Buttler looked fluent before being deceived by a Jhye Richardson slower ball and both Shivam Dube and Riyan Parag got starts.

The Royals already suspect attack has been weakened further by the absence of Jofra Archer and Samson tried eight different bowlers in an attempt to stem the flow with IPL newcomer Chetan Sakariya the pick.

The skipper could face similar problems against a strong DC outfit and the two games in Mumbai thus far have produced over 800 runs so expect runs to be the order of the day again, but do bear in mind MS Dhoni's comments following Chennai Super Kings' defeat to Delhi.

Dhoni is not impressed with the new 7.30pm (local) start time, believing it hands the side bowling first a notable advantage as 'the opposition will have at least half an hour when there will be very little dew on the field, which means it will not come on as nicely as it will in the second innings'.

Those comments obviously came on the back of a mauling and the dew certainly didn't prevent Punjabi Kings setting a dominant total, albeit one which the Royals came mighty close to chasing down. However, they are well worth bearing in mind if considering an in-running play as both sides are capable of chasing down a big total.

Delhi are short enough in the pre-match markets but they could be a more attractive proposition if chasing a notable target.

Punjab Kings v Chennai Super Kings

• When: 1500 BST, Friday April 16
• Where: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Mumbai Indians v Sunrisers Hyderabad

• When: 1500 BST, Saturday April 17
• Where: M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Royal Challengers Bangalore v Kolkata Knight Riders

• When: 1100 BST, Sunday April 18
• Where: M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Delhi Capitals v Punjab Kings

• When: 1500 BST, Sunday April 18
• Where: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Chennai Super Kings v Rajasthan Royals

• When: 1500 BST, Monday April 19
• Where: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Delhi Capitals v Mumbai Indians

• When: 1500 BST, Tuesday April 20
• Where: M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Punjab Kings v Sunrisers Hyderabad

• When: 1100 BST, Wednesday April 21
• Where: M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Kolkata Knight Riders v Chennai Super Kings

• When: 1500 BST, Wednesday April 21
• Where: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Royal Challengers Bangalore v Rajasthan Royals

• When: 1500 BST, Thursday April 22
• Where: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Punjab Kings v Mumbai Indians

• When: 1500 BST, Friday April 23
• Where: M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Rajasthan Royals v Kolkata Knight Riders

• When: 1500 BST, Saturday April 24
• Where: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Chennai Super Kings v Royal Challengers Bangalore

• When: 1500 BST, Sunday April 25
• Where: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Sunrisers Hyderabad v Delhi Capitals

• When: 1500 BST, Sunday April 25
• Where: M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Punjab Kings v Kolkata Knight Riders

• When: 1500 BST, Monday April 26
• Where: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Delhi Capitals v Royal Challengers Bangalore

• When: 1500 BST, Tuesday April 27
• Where: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Chennai Super Kings v Sunrisers Hyderabad

• When: 1500 BST, Wednesday April 28
• Where: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Mumbai Indians v Rajasthan Royals

• When: 1100 BST, Thursday April 29
• Where: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Delhi Capitals v Kolkata Knight Riders

• When: 1500 BST, Thursday April 29
• Where: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Punjab Kings v Royal Challengers Bangalore

• When: 1500 BST, Friday April 30
• Where: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings

• When: 1500 BST, Saturday May 1
• Where: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Rajasthan Royals v Sunrisers Hyderabad

• When: 1100 BST, Sunday May 2
• Where: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Punjab Kings v Delhi Capitals

• When: 1500 BST, Sunday May 2
• Where: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Kolkata Knight Riders v Royal Challengers Bangalore

• When: 1500 BST, Monday May 3
• Where: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Sunrisers Hyderabad v Mumbai Indians

• When: 1500 BST, Tuesday May 4
• Where: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Rajasthan Royals v Chennai Super Kings

• When: 1500 BST, Wednesday May 5
• Where: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Royal Challengers Bangalore v Punjab Kings

• When: 1500 BST, Thursday May 6
• Where: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Sunrisers Hyderabad v Chennai Super Kings

• When: 1500 BST, Friday May 7
• Where: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Kolkata Knight Riders v Delhi Capitals

• When: 1100 BST, Saturday May 8
• Where: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Rajasthan Royals v Mumbai Indians

• When: 1500 BST, Saturday May 8
• Where: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Chennai Super Kings v Punjab Kings

• When: 1100 BST, Sunday May 9
• Where: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Royal Challengers Bangalore v Sunrisers Hyderabad

• When: 1500 BST, Sunday May 9
• Where: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Mumbai Indians v Kolkata Knight Riders

• When: 1500 BST, Monday May 10
• Where: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Delhi Capitals v Rajasthan Royals

• When: 1500 BST, Tuesday May 11
• Where: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Chennai Super Kings v Kolkata Knight Riders

• When: 1500 BST, Wednesday May 12
• Where: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Mumbai Indians v Punjab Kings

• When: 1100 BST, Thursday May 13
• Where: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Sunrisers Hyderabad v Rajasthan Royals

• When: 1500 BST, Thursday May 13
• Where: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Royal Challengers Bangalore v Delhi Capitals

• When: 1500 BST, Friday May 14
• Where: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Kolkata Knight Riders v Punjab Kings

• When: 1500 BST, Saturday May 15
• Where: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Rajasthan Royals v Royal Challengers Bangalore

• When: 1100 BST, Sunday May 16
• Where: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Chennai Super Kings v Mumbai Indians

• When: 1500 BST, Sunday May 16
• Where: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Delhi Capitals v Sunrisers Hyderabad

• When: 1500 BST, Monday May 17
• Where: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Kolkata Knight Riders v Rajasthan Royals

• When: 1500 BST, Tuesday May 18
• Where: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Sunrisers Hyderabad v Punjab Kings

• When: 1500 BST, Wednesday May 19
• Where: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Royal Challengers Bangalore v Mumbai Indians

• When: 1500 BST, Thursday May 20
• Where: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Kolkata Knight Riders v Sunrisers Hyderabad

• When: 1100 BST, Friday May 21
• Where: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Delhi Capitals v Chennai Super Kings

• When: 1500 BST, Friday May 21
• Where: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Punjab Kings v Rajasthan Royals

• When: 1500 BST, Saturday May 22
• Where: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Mumbai Indians v Delhi Capitals

• When: 1100 BST, Sunday May 23
• Where: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Royal Challengers Bangalore v Chennai Super Kings

• When: 1500 BST, Sunday May 23
• Where: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Qualifier 1 - TBD v TBD

• When: 1500 BST, Tuesday May 25
• Where: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Eliminator - TBD v TBD

• When: 1500 BST, Wednesday May 26
• Where: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Qualifier 2 - TBD v TBD

• When: 1500 BST, Friday May 28
• Where: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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Final - TBD v TBD

• When: 1500 BST, Sunday May 30
• Where: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
• How to watch: Sky Sports Cricket
• In-play pointer: TBC

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