IPL / Edward Hammond-Kenny / 14 April 2010 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market

Mumbai are already in the semis but the much-fancied Daredevils still have work to do if they're to make the last four themselves and there's no reason to assume Mumbai might take their foot off the pedal, says Edward Hammond-Kenny.

Venue and Conditions

Sachin Tendulkar and his Mumbai Indians face the Delhi Daredevils in Mumbai's Brabourne Stadium, each team having experienced contrasting fortunes in their most recent matches. Mumbai handed a beating to fellow title hopefuls Rajasthan while Delhi capitulated at the hands of bottom-of -the table Punjab. This is the seventh game of the tournament at batsman-friendly Brabourne, where the average first innings total is a bold 173.

Team News

Mumbai will once again try and find a way to balance a somewhat shaky batting order outside of Tendulkar. Sanath Jayasuriya will be lucky to get a reprieve after scoring just one on his return against Rajasthan, Shikhar Dhawan and Dwayne Bravo are likely to be the contenders for the Sri Lankan's spot.

Delhi suffered a rare batting collapse against Punjab, but they will most likely put that down to the state of the pitch rather than the players so wholesale changes are unlikely. They will want Dirk Nannes back as quickly as possible to reinvigorate their bowling, the most likely casualty in this scenario being Daniel Vettori.

Match Odds

The current Match Odds prices suggest there is little between the teams, with Mumbai at [1.92] and Delhi at [2.0]. The first meeting in Delhi was a thumping win for Mumbai who posted 218, but these prices suggest that the market realises the Mumbai team is being held together by Sachin's batting and is vulnerable if he gets out early. The Delhi batting collapse last time out also appears to be considered a one-off by the layers, though the Daredevils' batsmen will have to contend and overcome the best bowling attack in the tournament if they are to win this one.

Top Batsman

Tendulkar top scored again for Mumbai against Rajasthan last time out, this time smashing a scintillating 89 not out. He has over 500 runs at an average of 56 and it's hard to see past him for top bat at the moment. If an alternative is out there then it's likely to be JP Duminy; the South African has looked consistent in his two games so far, though not explosive yet.

It can be tricky to pick the top Delhi batsman given their strength in depth, but at the Brabourne the best strategy will likely be to go with one of the top three on a batters' pitch. Delhi skipper Gautham Gambhir will look to be the rock as David Warner and Virendir Sehwag try and smash everything and at a larger price, may be the pick out of the three.

Featured Market

Mumbai have one of the fastest scoring rates in the powerplay overs, but the extra firepower of Delhi may well outgun them this time around and they can be backed on the Highest 6 Over Total market.

Trivia

The one man batting line up tag aimed at Mumbai recently has some statistical merit: Sachin has top scored in seven of Mumbai's eleven innings so far.

Best Bet

Ed Hammond-Kenny says: Back Gautham Gambhir to top score for Delhi at [4.5] or better.