Runs all over the place in Delhi

Through swirling speculation of the premature cancellation of this years Vivo Indian Premier League, on Tuesday Match 31 is due to take place as the Sunrisers Hyderabad will take on the Mumbai Indians in Delhi. Just 24 hours after five confirmed positive cases within two camps, the show, for the moment at least, is continuing to go on.

Now or never

If any camp was going to be happiest about giving up this year’s IPL and moving on, it would be the Sunrisers, who after seven games, have only registered one win, and are in danger of being cut adrift at the foot of the table unless they can change their ways.

It is the form that not many would predicted just four weeks ago when the tournament kicked off, with many, including myself thinking they could be a nice outsider to take the crown off their opponents in this one, the Mumbai Indians.

It was a whopping 55 run defeat last time out at the hands of the Rajasthan Royals and more importantly, Jos Buttler. Buttler hit 124 to help set the Sunrisers 221 to win, which always looked incredibly unlikely considering their fortunes so far this year. Despite having Bhuvneshwar Kumar back opening the bowling, he didn’t bowl with his usual metronomic control, and went for 37 from his four overs.

They managed to limp up to 165/8 with no batsman really grabbing the run chase by the scruff of the neck and giving the Sunrisers a chance to take home the two points. That’s been the story of the IPL so far, and what needs to change in this one.

Mixed bag

Still currently sat in fourth, the hierarchy at the Mumbai Indians will be feeling indifferent about their first half of the campaign. They haven’t been able to convincingly string together results.

The Mumbai fans will have just got their breath back from their thriller against the Chennai Super Kings on Saturday night. After a fairly poor first 20 overs, the current champions found themselves chasing 219 to help plug the gap between themselves and the top of the table.

But no mountain was big enough for the man mountain himself Keiron Pollard as he smashed 87 from just 34 balls to win the game on the final ball of the match to get the Mumbai Indians over the line.

With this match also being played in Delhi, it could be another run fest like the game on Sunday, which would suit the Mumbai mentality down to a tee.

Match Tip

I am backing all four opening batsmen to hit double figures at 1.70 with Betway, in the game between the Sunrisers Hyderabad and the Mumbai Indians.

Bet All four opening batsmen to reach double figures on Betway