IPL - Bangalore Royal Challengers v Chennai Super Kings

IT'S almost a case of top versus bottom here with ladder leaders Chennai the only IPL franchise to be currently unbeaten, with a 3-0 record. Bangalore, by contrast, have been misfiring and are second last in the competition with just one win from three games. This match is mainly noteworthy because it is the last time we will see Chennai stars Matthew Hayden, Mike Hussey and Jacob Oram in action in the IPL. The trio will leave for international duties later this week and will leave a gaping hole in the Chennai side. Hayden (177 runs at an average of 88 and a strike rate of 157) has been one of the stars of the tournament and Hussey's emphatic century against Mohali was a beauty.

Chennai are coming off a terrific win against Kolkata, another form side, and will be keen to make hay while the sun shines. Chennai could easily come back to the IPL pack without Hayden and co and they will be desperate for a 4-0 start to give themselves some breathing space at the top of the ladder. We have been ultra impressed by the way Chennai have gone about their business and they have been the side that has looked most like a 'team' in the IPL. Other sides have looked like a group of individuals who haven't clicked but Chennai, under the captaincy of MS Dhoni, have looked like a well oiled machine.

As always, anything is possible in 20-over cricket but it is hard to see Chennai being rolled here. The top order of Parthiv Patel, Hayden, Hussey, Suresh Raina, Oram and Dhoni is just superb and their bowling is bankrolled by Muttiah Muralidaran who has so far proved just about impossible to score quickly off. Other Chennai bowlers such as towering quick Manpreet Gony (who looks more like a footy player than a cricketer) can go for a few but it doesn't matter when you have Murali plus such a formidable batting side.

Bangalore, by contrast, have too many players like Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis who are fine batsmen in their own right but aren't suited to 20-over cricket. There is a chance that Kallis could even be dropped for this game after having no impact in the IPL so far. Kiwi batsman Ross Taylor may be able to give Banglore's batting a bit more snap and crackle - and spinner Anil Kumble and hostile quick Dale Steyn provide much needed weapons with the ball - but they look to be outpointed in just about every department against the rampaging Chennai. 

We love the look of Chennai and think they should be quite a bit shorter than the $1.55 being offered by Centrebet. We know it's a skinny quote for 20-over cricket but we really think Chennai have ticked all the boxes here while Bangalore will come up empty so we're having 2 units here. You would not be worried taking $1.55 when Australia plays the West Indies so don't be worried taking $1.55 on Chennai here. They are too good for this Bangalore mob.

ORAM BANG

We sound like a broken record because we have already suggested this earlier in the tournament and it hasn't come off yet. But we are convinced giant Kiwi Jacob Oram is one of the most destructive 20-over batsmen in the world. This is his last IPL game, he will be desperate to go out with a batting bang and could even be promoted up the order in his IPL swansong. Hayden has had many moments in the sun this tournament and surely it is Oram's time to shine. Oram will also be playing with more confidence after an improved performance with the ball the other night. We couldn't let this match pass without having a small 0.25 unit bet on Oram to be Chennai's high-bat here at the incredible $9 quote being offered by both bet365 and paddypower.

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