IPL Betting: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bangalore

Chris Gayle will be eyeing up another big score at Hyderabad

Sunday's second match pitches the IPL newboys against Chris Gayle's Bangalore. Both won their first game, but Paul Krishnamurty reckons there's a gulf in class between them and tips the favourites to deliver... 

Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bangalore

Start Time: Sunday 7th April, 15.30 BST 
TV: Live on ITV and itv.com

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Our worst fears about this Sunrisers batting line-up seemed to be confirmed when struggling to make just 125 in their first ever IPL innings on Friday, yet it turned out to be easily enough. The fact they beat Pune, however, cannot gloss over the top-order's deficiencies, especially whilst Shikhar Darwan is injured. At least the evidence from that opener shows that, if and when they can set a competitive target, an attack led by Dale Steyn and Amit Mishra will be capable of defending it.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

While their opening performance against Mumbai raised familiar questions, regarding Bangalore's over-reliance on Chris Gayle and limited bowling attack, they clearly must be shortlisted for the play-offs. It is indeed hard to overstate the importance of Gayle's unbeaten 92 to their victory, but on other days the captain will be better supported by Tillakaratne Dilshan, Virat Kohli and when he eventually arrives, AB De Villiers. Expect some very high totals from Bangalore when conditions allow.   
  
First Innings Runs

Friday's low-scoring match came as a surprise because Hyderabad usually offers up big totals. Even though that pitch was slow, the low total owed plenty to poor batting and the par score may well in reality have been 150. When we get a more conducive pitch, this ground will produce a run-fest. Assuming Gayle plays and Bangalore bat first, I'll be backing over 160 and also at speculative big odds, over 180. Sunrisers, however, lack the same scoring potential and may struggle to get 160 in any conditions.

Match odds

Both of these sides pulled off miraculous comebacks in their first matches, but there was a marked difference between their achievements. Whereas Bangalore beat fellow contenders Mumbai in a classic, Sunrisers' victory over Pune felt like a wooden-spoon contest. If they can get Gayle and Kohli out cheaply, Sunrisers have a chance. Otherwise, expect Bangalore to score too heavily for a limited batting line-up.

Top Hyderabad batsman

Thisara Perera top-scored against Pune, saving his side but the fact this all-rounder is needed at number five speaks volumes about the lack of batting depth. The openers are pretty ordinary so hopes mainly rest on Kumar Sangakkara and Cameron White. The latter was a key player last term and is a fair 5.04/1 chance give his class and number four position.   

Top Bangalore batsman

Obviously Gayle is a short-priced favourite at 3.02/1 but the big man can't excel in every game. He and Dilshan will face a stiff early test from Dale Steyn, so I'd prefer to back their other star man Virat Kohli at 4.47/2 to come in and steer the innings once that early threat has been negotiated.

Recommended bet

Back Bangalore @ 1.558/15