28th April IPL Preview: Gujarat Titans vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru
It’s a scorching day-game in the IPL on Sunday, and I’m going against the grain backing the Unders…
Pick 1: Under 384.5 Total Match Runs (1.83, bet365)
Pick 2: Under 80.5 Highest Individual Score (1.83, bet365)
Pick 1: Under 384.5 Total Match Runs
Both GT and RCB have been amongst the lowest scorers in the league, with GT over this match total in just 3/9, and RCB over in 3/9 likewise.
11am in London, is 3:30pm in India – and afternoon matches are rare. Playing during the heat of the day is difficult, but it’s set to be even more of a challenge tomorrow. Temperatures are set to touch 40 degrees Celcius – with an extreme heat warning in Ahmedabad.
Irrespective of the weather, Ahmedabad has been a difficult venue for batsmen, with the highest total (399) only barely exceeding this line of 384.5. Overs have landed in 1/4, with match totals of:
- 330 (GT vs MI)
- 330 (GT vs SRH)
- 399 (GT vs PBKS)
- 181 (GT vs DC)
It’s one of the few venues not particularly tailored to batting, with longer square boundaries.
Bet 1: Under 384.5 Total Match Runs (1.83, bet365)
Pick 2: Under 80.5 Highest Individual Score
On a similar train of thought, despite the superstar names involved in this clash, I struggle to see a big individual score.
In nine matches, only Shubman Gill is over this total once for the Titans (89*). On the side of RCB, Kohli is over twice (113*, 83*), and Karthik (83) – three overs in nine games.
In 40 IPL games so far, 23 batsmen have managed a score in excess of that required – four of which from the required teams. Considering the venue and expected conditions, I’m leaning towards backing the bowlers in this contest – both lines here seem extremely high.
Both lines seem extremely inflated in response to some mammoth totals recently. Whilst there is a clear uptrend with the league favouring high-scoring games, the traditionalist in me wants to see the bowlers find some success.
Bet 2: Under 80.5 Highest Individual Score (1.83, bet365)
