Mr Cricket: Kolkata v Delhi

On the day that it was announced West Indian Marlon Samuels is facing a possible two-year ban for links with a bookmaker, another disgraced cricketer is likely to make his IPL debut. Drug-tainted former Pakistan quick Shoaib Akhtar seems set to make his first appearance of the IPL for the Kolkata franchise. From a public relations point of view, Shoaib's likely debut could add some snap and crackle to the Kolkata/Delhi clash but it may not add much more. Mr Cricket has himself played more cricket than Shoaib lately and we can imagine Shoaib hurtling down plenty of bloody fast wides in this match.

Both of these teams are in the the middle of the IPL ladder so it is desperation time for both if they want to make a serious impact at the pointy end of this tournament. The batting makeup of both these teams is similar. They both have some explosive batsmen who can win games single-handedly (Delhi - Virender Sehwag and Gautum Gambhir); (Kolkata - Sourav Ganguly and David Hussey). However both don't have much depth to their batting and if they lose quick wickets at any point they are in serious trouble. Kolkata have the momentum after two consecutive wins while Delhi are battling after three losses in a row. However as we have seen in the IPL, form and momentum are only temporary and things can change very quickly.

Before even looking at the teams - there is one very, very good reason to steer clear of match betting here. The Kolkata pitch has proved a nightmare in this tournament - producing a string of low-scoring games which bring the skills of teams closer together. Until we see a high scoring match at Kolkata, we will continue to assume there are gremlins in the pitch and it's impossible to get too confident with any bets. It will be fascinating to see how dashing Delhi openers Sehwag and Gambhir go on this pitch - whether they will be able to continue their high-scoring, swashbuckling play is in the lap of the pitch gods. Both teams have some high quality quicks so we will assume this is a game where ball could easily dominate bat.

We are going to suggest two small bets - and bets we never thought we would suggest in a million years. Openers Sehwag and Gambhir have clearly been the standout batsmen for Delhi - in fact virtually the standout batsmen of the IPL - but we think they may struggle here and we want to take them on. The chances are the pitch won't suit them and this is a high pressure game where they may need to change their style. We would not be at all surprised if they struggle here so we are going to tip two Delhi high-bats away from their class openers.

Local Delhi batsman Shikhar Dhawan has 209 runs at 41 this tournament so he has certainly proven he is up to it. You have probably never heard of him but have 0.5 of a unit at $6.50 on him to be Delhi's high-bat with Paddypower. And in a 'hail mary' style bet, have 0.25 unit on Sri Lankan bowler Farveez Maharoof at $21 in the same market with Paddypower. We watched Maharoof closely in Australia at the start of last summer and he can certainly wield the willow. He could come in as low as No.7 or 8 - but that's why he's $21! We think - with the potential of a tricky pitch - Delhi's top-order could get into trouble so the middle and lower order certainly represent great value in batting markets.