bettrends.co.uk

The third season of the Indian Premier League gets underway this afternoon with some of the biggest names in world cricket past and present coming together to create one of the biggest spectacles of the sporting calendar. Although you could argue that the IPL doesn’t have the prestige and the heritage of the Ashes, you cannot dispute that the skill and quality on show makes for a fantastic competition. Back in their native land following security concerns, I’m sure the 8 franchises are raring to go and cannot wait to take to the field.

The team that caught my eye so far as the trophy is concerned are Kumar Sangakarra’s KINGS XI PUNJAB. Based in Mohali, the King’s XI have a great blend of youth and experience as well as the key element of quality dependable overseas players to steady the ship. With a fully fit Yuvraj at the helm, Punjab should be able to improve on their 5th placed finish from last year as, although they ended up outside of the play-offs, they were level on points with eventual champions Deccan Chargers and should benefit from a return to home soil. In the inaugural season they finished a clear second in the table with only the Rajasthan Royals ahead of them and had two players in the all-star IPL XI, highest run-scorer of the tournament Shaun Marsh and current captain Kumar Sangakarra. Their impressive season came to an end in the semi-final with a most disappointing defeat to pre-tournament favourites Chennai Super Kings. I think that the form from last year’s tournament is hard to assess as it seems that some sides were suited to the conditions more than others. Therefore, at 9/1, Kings XI Punjab look to be great value to lift the trophy for the first time.

Bettrends advice

Kings XI Punjab 9/1(Victor Chandler, Stan James & William Hill)

Another eye-catcher for me comes in the main player market of top batsman. In a vastly under-achieving Kolkata Knight Riders team that only won 3 of their 14 matches last year, BRAD HODGE emerged as an unlikely star as he finished as the eighth highest scoring batsman having only played in 12 of a possible 16 matches. The batsman is one of few Aussies in the tournament to be there from the start as he no longer has international commitments, but Australia’s loss is most certainly the Knight Riders’ gain. The 35 year-old was instrumental when leading the Leicestershire Tigers to their sole 20/20 Cup success and he could hold a similar role in trying to revive the Kolkata Knight Riders. KKR currently have the top three all time 20/20 run scorers by a country mile and Brad Hodge(top of the list) looks the most likely to make an impact once again.

Bettrends advice

Brad Hodge

Top Overall Batsman 33/1e/w (Stan James – ¼ odds top 5)

Top Australian Batsman 5/1 (Stan James)

Top Kolkata Knight Riders Batsman 10/3 (Boylesports, Paddy Power & William Hill)

Another batsman that has caught my eye recently is Indian international and Delhi Daredevils wicket-keeper, DINESH KARTHIK. Despite taking his place in a team that contains two of the best Indian shot-makers of recent years in Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag, Karthik has proven himself to be one of the most reliable batsmen at the top levels of cricket. The keeper has spent most of his international career as only a 12th man, but he has cemented his place in the India side of late and the IPL seems to have come at a perfect time for an in-form player looking to impress. He may also have the advantage of not being in the limelight as much as some of his big hitting colleagues. Not only do the Daredevils have India’s preferred opening pair at the top of their innings, but they also have the highly explosive AB de Villiers and the technically gifted Tillakaratne Dilshan within their ranks. Playing in a side with as much talent as Delhi have can only benefit Karthik and could help to fire him on to the international stage in style.

Bettrends advice

Dinesh Karthik

Top Indian Batsman 20/1 (Blue Square)

Despite the common assumption that spin is the key to winning a 20/20 match, pace bowlers have been the most successful wicket-takers in both of the previous IPL seasons and there seems to be no reason why that trend won’t continue this year. Even on pitches that aid spin bowlers, seamers are generally the ones to profit with wickets. Therefore, I refer back to my original fancy for the competition and look to IRFAN PATHAN to spearhead the Punjab attack all the way to the trophy. To me, it seems as though Pathan has been around for donkey’s years, but he is still only 25 and should be at the peak of his cricketing career. The pacy left-armer has a good variety of deliveries within his armoury including a well-disguised slower ball and a surprising bouncer that has on more than one occasion found out some of the world’s top batsmen. He is the top wicket-taking Indian in 20/20 matches with 63 and, although he has yet to take the IPL by the scruff of the neck, he has the experience to push on and become that world class player that he has threatened to be throughout his career.

Bettrends advice

Irfan Pathan

Top Overall Bowler 33/1e/w (Ladbrokes – ¼ odds top 4)

Top Kings XI Punjab Bowler 5/1 (Ladbrokes & Coral)

Although I have knocked spinners’ wicket taking ability somewhat, they definitely have a big role to play in winning matches. Despite the pitches maybe not offering them any assistance, a 4 over spell from a top class spinner can undoubtedly change a game. Perhaps not in a wicket taking sense, but most definitely in slowing a run rate down and taking the game away from an opponent in the blink of an eye. The Indian’s have a host of superb slow bowlers but one that certainly looks to be on an upward curve is PRAGYAN OJHA. The Deccan Chargers bowler helped them to the trophy last season with a haul of 18 wickets and he looks to be their number one spinner for the third successive season. Ojha has recently managed to fight off tough opposition to get into the Indian side, mainly due to his solid performances in 2009, and he may be one to watch for now and most certainly the future.

Bettrends advice

Pragyan Ojha

Top Spin Bowler 11/2 (Stan James)

Most Economical Bowler 16/1e/w (Stan James – ¼ odds top 3)

Best of luck to all the English players in India and I hope that you not only have a profitable IPL 2010 but also a most enjoyable one.