IPL - Kolkata Knight Riders v Deccan Chargers (Hyderabad)

 
WE have certainly set ourselves a tall order to continue our hot punting streak! After three IPL games we haven't had a single losing bet and we've had two successful match plunges and even our exotic bets have turned to gold with James Hopes ($6.50 leading runscorer) leading the way for his losing Mohali side. Shane Warne's Jaipur mob even did the right thing by getting run out more than their opposition! The cricket punting bank is full as a bull but a word of caution - let's not get ahead of ourselves because Twenty20 cricket is a beast where you always have to expect the unexpected. 

However, in many respects, our punting task should become easier not harder because we are now at the stage of the tournament where teams have their second matches so we have a formguide to study. That is the case in Kolkata when the Knights Riders look to repeat their slashing start to the tournament when they take on Hyderabad. This will be an early contender for the game of the tournament because Sourav Ganguly's Kolkata, boasting Ricky Ponting, David Hussey and Brendon McCullum (coming off his incredible 158) take on another power-packed batting lineup featuring Andrew Symonds, Adam Gilchrist, VVS Laxman and Scott Styris.

Hyderabad are the deserved favourites for the tournament and more than 100,000 spectators are expected in Kolkata for what should be an astonishing batting blitz. So who will come out on top?? It's a terribly hard game to confidentally pick the winner because both teams have the firepower and it will simply come down to who has the most batting bullets on the day. We do like the fact that Kolkata already have a game under their belt and their is little doubt the mad-cap home support will add a few extra runs to their score. Hyderabad star Symonds could easily take Kolkata apart but he will also be feeling the pressure of being the big-dollar signing that everyone is expecting so much of. Ditto for Gilchrist.

We also think the Kolkata bowling lineup, boasting giant Indian quick Ishant Sharma and blossoming spinner Murali Kartik, could fly under the radar and be surprise packets here. Hyderabad are also not at full strength and will be without Herschelle Gibbs and Shahid Afridi - two of the most damaging hitters in world cricket - for this match. Many roads lead to Kolkata on their home turf - they could get at Hyderabad here before the tournament favourites get into gear. If you have to have a bet we advise a small one on Kolkata at $1.80 mark, with Sportsbet or Lasseters, but make sure it is a small one as i'm not making it an official play. Go carefully. This is a blue-chip game but it's not one to be putting much of our winnings into. However it should make for great entertainment and will add another sheet to the formguide for our betting tips later in the tournament. 

IPL - Mumbai Indians v Bangalore Royal Challengers
 

IF there is such a a thing as a good thing in Twenty20 cricket, Mumbai are close to being it in this clash against Bangalore. Leading into the game, the big question has been whether Sachin Tendulkar (groin injury) will be fit to lead Mumbai. The indications out of India are that the Little Master will be fit to play - but even if he doesn't we think Mumbai are still good things.

We love Mumbai here for several reasons. One because Rahul Dravid's Bangalore looked nothing short of inept at times when it was comprehensively flogged by Kolkata in this first game of the tournament. Some of the Bangalore players looked almost disinterested at times. Batsmen are king in Twenty20 cricket and Bangalore simply don't have enough snap and crackle at the top or their order. A batting lineup headed by Dravid, Shiv Chanderpaul, Wasim Jaffer and Jacques Kallis might be OK for Test cricket but it is hardly inspirational in 20-over cricket.

To make matters worse for Bangalore, one of their few decent bowlers, Ashley Noffke, is set to miss the game after tweaking his groin in the first game. Anil Kumble is still injured as well and remains a massive loss for his spin nous and general experience. The remainder of Bangalore's bowlers are still disturbed by the sight of 20-over cricket after being taken apart by Brendon McCullum in the first game. Mumbai's side - even if Tendulkar does not play - is too good here. Limited overs trailblazer Sanath Jayasuriya heads their big hitters and Robin Uthappa showed he had plenty of talent last summer in Australia. Then there is rising Australian Luke Ronchi - who can take any attack apart - and veteran South African allrounder Shaun Pollock who still has plenty of class despite his age. 

We also love the fact that Mumbai boasts Harbhajan Singh and one of our golden Twenty20 rules is you must have a world-class spinner. Muttiah Muralidaran showed that in Chennai's win. In short, get on Mumbai with a lot of confidence. They have the a-grade playing stock and will be desperate to make an impact in their opening IPL match. Bangalore look completely outclassed here and they still wear the scars of their 140-run defeat by Kolkata - the fourth largest in Twenty20 cricket. Get on Mumbai with Lasseters, at $1.65 mark. We really like this bet so we'll have 2 units.