As we near the closing stages of the round robin part of this year's IPL, I felt it was time to check in on some of the predictions I made across a couple of blogs about 6 weeks ago. That included 5 bold predictions as well as a host of other outright and special line bets.
Bold Predictions
Prediction 1 - CSK won’t make it to the final this year
So far this one isn't looking too good. CSK will certainly be in the playoffs and it is looking likely that they will be finishing in the top 2 meaning that they essentially have a double chance of qualifying for the final. I doubted their old boys but they have proved me wrong, using their experience to consistently find a way to win regardless of the situation. One area that they have been vulnerable in has been their top order batsmen who have struggled to score consistently. However, with Shane Watson hitting form in their last match and Dhoni still looking capable of winning games from any position they look difficult to beat.
Prediction 2 - Sam Curran will be a flop in this year’s tournament
I guess it depends on how you look at this one. On one hand, Curran managed to win KXIP a game by taking 4 wickets in a spell including a hattrick to finish the match, on the other he has (as I predicted) gone for a lot of runs. In fact, Curran has the 3rd worst bowling economy of any bowler in this years IPL (10 overs or more). Again, it's no surprise to see a bowler like Curran who likes variety and pace not make it into England's WC squad.
Prediction 3 - David Warner will score a century for SRH
Boom! Nailed this one pretty early with David Warner scoring a century in his 3rd innings. He is also the current orange cap wearer and his form all but guarantees him a place in Australia's starting 11 in the World Cup and the Ashes series that will follow.
Prediction 4 - AB de Villiers will outscore Virat Kohli at RCB
So far I'm winning on this but only just - AB has 414 runs to Virat's 400. Certainly, AB has been one of the most consistent batsmen of the tournament and he played a masterful innings in RCB's latest win against KXIP. Kohli for his part hit a magnificent hundred against KKR last week and so it seems like both are in form, ensuring that RCB hang onto a slim hope of qualifying for the playoffs and that this prediction will go down to the wire.
Prediction 5 - Ben Stokes will come good
I guess I made this one in hope rather than expectation. It's been another poor return for Ben Stokes who has struggled to make an impact with both bat and ball. With England's players returning to prepare for the World Cup at the end of the week it looks unlikely that he will turn it around for an RR side that looks set to finish bottom of the league as things stand.
Specials and Outright Bets
So far the following are looking pretty good
CSK to make the top 4 @1.80
MI to make the top 4 @1.83
David Warner top scorer for SRH @3.25
Rashid Khan top wicket-taker for SRH @2.35
KL Rahul top scorer for KXIP @2.80
AB DeVilliers top scorer for RCB @3.25
Chahal top wicket-taker for RCB @3.30
Most 6s - Andre Russell @15.0
SRH and KKR are still in the hunt for a top 4 finish but my prediction of KKR winning the IPL isn't looking great. Following a flying start that saw them top the table, the Knight Riders have lost 5 in a row! If they are going to win it then they'll need to do it the hard way.
A decent ROI is likely to come down to whether either Virat Kohli or KL Rahul finish in the top 4 overall runscorers for the competition. It's an interesting dynamic in the chase for the Orange Cap as Warner and Bairstow will both have their tournaments cut short by international commitments while Gayle, Rahul, Kohli and DeVilliers may well not progress to the playoffs leaving the door open for an in-form Shikhar Dhawan or Quinton de Kock to perhaps steal in and take the prize!
All stats and tables sourced from official IPL website
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