Team rivalries are a big part of the Indian Premier League, and add that extra spice to analysis and proceedings, when it comes to betting. Here are five of the best IPL rivalries to look out for this year.
Gujarat Titans v Rajasthan Royals
What happened in 2022
Royals and Titans played each other three times last year. And the Titans won the lot! So that in respect it maybe wasn’t a rivalry as such… But on the other hand, they were the two best sides in the competition all season, including, as we’ll soon see, contesting the final. So, in another sense it is a competition, which is worth considering.
In their only meeting in the league stage, the Titans posted 192/4 mostly thanks to a sublime 87 off 52 from skipper Hardik Pandya. In reply, the Royals finished 37 runs short despite a valiant 54 off 24 from Jos Buller.
Having finished first and second they then met again in the Qualifier 1. Chasing a stiff 189, a brilliant knock of 68 off 38 from David Miler saw the Titans home.
They met again in the final and in a low-scoring match, the Titans chased 131 with ease thanks to a well-measured unbeaten 45 from Shubman Gill.
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Team changes
- The Titans made the curious decision to bring in Kane Williamson despite the Kiwi batsman struggling over the past few seasons. All-rounder Odean Smith joined them from Punjab. The Titans transferred Lockie Ferguson, also a Kiwi, to KKR.
- The Royals released overseas quartet Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Neesham, Rassie van der Dussen and Daryl Mitchell with all-rounder Jason Holder the biggest name to come in.
Predictions for GT v RR, IPL 2023
These are two well-matched sides on paper so in the two league games they play each other in 2023, it might end up 1-1 this time. Both the GT and RR should qualify for the Playoffs.
Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings
What happened in 2022
Both sides had disastrous seasons, finishing ninth and tenth (last) respectively in the league stage… But as the two most successful sides in the IPL history, their rivalry nevertheless carried on in the last season. CSK edged the first meeting with MS Dhoni (who else?) hitting a boundary off the last ball of the game to win the match. In the second it was Mumbai winning, chasing just 98 with minimum fuss after CSK put in a shocker after batting first.
Team changes
- Fast bowler Jason Behrendoff arrived at Mumbai from RCB, while fellow Australians Jye Richardson and Cameron Green also joined the ranks at the Indians.
- CSK meanwhile splashed out on England Test skipper Ben Stokes, while the experienced Ajinkya Rahane was brought in as another batting option.
Predictions for MI v CSK, IPL 2023
A win for each side in the league could well be on the cards but after last season’s extremely poor performances, there’s no guarantee that one, let alone both, will make the Playoffs.
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Lucknow Super Giants v Punjab Kings
What happened in 2022
KL Rahul ended his long relationship with the Punjab Kings when he decided he didn’t want to be retained and instead moved to the new franchise Lucknow, ahead of the 2022 season. He came in as skipper as well and had yet another solid season with the bat.
But the bad news for Punjab didn’t end there. Not only did the Kings lose their only match against them, failing to chase 154, but Lucknow made the Playoffs and they didn’t.
Much fancied at the off with a powerful batting line up, Punjab could only finish sixth while Lucknow finished third, eventually losing to RCB in the Eliminator.
Team changes
- Lucknow brought in three real T20 specialists in West Indies duo Nicholas Pooran and Romario Shepherd, with the big hitting all-rounder Daniel Sams also coming in to give them greater balance.
- Punjab in turn bought 2022 World Cup Player of the tournament Sam Curran and veteran Sikandar Raza, while former skipper Mayank Agarwal left for Hyderabad.
Predictions for LSG v PBKS, IPL 2023
Punjab look a little one-dimensional with great batting but suspect-looking bowling.
Lucknow look a better all-round side and could at least make the Playoffs again, with Punjab missing out once more.
Chennai Super Kings v Royal Challengers Bangalore
What happened in 2022
For the first time in years, these two weren’t led by MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli at the start of the season. Dhoni did, however, take over from Ravindra Jadeja halfway through the season, but by then it was too late, failing to make the Playoffs after a disastrous start.
CSK won the first game between these two after posting a huge 216/4. But RCB fought back to win the second, defending 173.
Team changes
- CSK will be hoping Ben Stokes can rediscover his T20 magic after not playing in the IPL last season although he won’t be there at the end whatever happens as he’ll be flying home early to prepare for the Ashes.
- Experienced England bowler Reece Topley was brought in to improve the bowling at RCB. The rest of the squad mostly stays the same.
Predictions for CSK v RCB, IPL 2023
RCB have famously never won the IPL and there’s no reason why this should be the season that changes. A Playoff place may be the best they can hope for.
CSK have a habit of bouncing back well from poor seasons. So they could be very dangerous this time round, with a fit Jadeja doing his thing as a key all-rounder and Dhoni calling the shots once again.
Kolkata Knight Riders v Mumbai Indians
What happened in 2022
Two of the IPL’s old-school teams had seasons to forget, finishing seventh and tenth respectively after poor starts and key players losing form.
But it was all KKR in the two matches between them, Kolkata winning them both, including Pat Cummins hitting a barely-believable 56 off 15 to chase 162.
Mumbai will be out for revenge this year.
Team changes
- Mumbai will be hoping Cameron Green can put in some eye-catching performances after spending the big bucks on him, while Richardson and Behrendorff have been consistently good in the BBL over the years. Kieron Pollard is no longer a player and will be their batting coach, instead.
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Shardul Thakur were traded into KKR and look good signings; they needed some fresh blood.
Predictions for KKR v MI, IPL 2023
Of the two, Mumbai look the most likely to improve after last season’s debacle, especially if Jofra Archer is fit at last.
KKR may miss out on the Playoffs again with a batting line-up that has too many off-days.
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