IPL 2015 Schedule: Updated Fixture List, Live Stream Info, Odds and Predictions
The Indian Premier League is sorely missed during the close season but as 2015’s instalment is now in full flow, it’s like it never left.
The tournament’s usual dose of big scores, last-gasp heartbreak and scintillating sixes has come back with a vengeance, and there are no signs of it stopping anytime soon, either.
Here’s a look at the upcoming fixtures in IPL 2015, complete with odds, predictions and a closer look at Sunday’s top-of-the-table crunch clash between high-flying Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings.
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| Date | Time (BST) | Fixture | Predicted Winner |
| April 19 | 11:30 a.m. | Rajasthan Royals (13/8) vs. Chennai Super Kings (4/7) | Chennai Super Kings |
| April 19 | 3:30 p.m. | Royal Challenger Bangalore (4/7) vs. Mumbai Indians (13/8) | Mumbai Indians |
| April 20 | 3:30 p.m. | Delhi Daredevils (13/10) vs. Kolkata Knight Riders (4/9) | Kolkata Knight Riders |
Rajasthan Royals vs. Chennai Super Kings
Rajasthan Royals have been a somewhat surprise package of the Indian Premier League so far, with their four wins out of four matches coming after last season’s campaign ended in disappointment.
They’ve been lucky on their way to the perfect record, though, with Thursday’s last-ball victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad their second dramatic victory of the season.
Sunrisers set the Royals a measly total of 127 to chase, but the league leaders just couldn’t get going against a stubborn bowling outfit.
Ajinkya Rahane’s knock of 62 runs from 56 balls was the best that Rajasthan had to offer, and here’s a look at his man-of-the-match display courtesy of IPL:
However, the Indian’s innings rather summed up how the team performed with the bat in general—the strike rates just weren’t good enough.
Even Sanju Samson’s haul of 26 runs came from all of 30 balls but take nothing away from the Sunrisers’ bowlers.
Ravi Bopara stole the show by taking two wickets and conceding just 18 runs from four overs, yet he wasn’t the only one with expert economy.
Unfortunately, from a Hyderabad point of view, the batting just wasn’t good enough, and ESPN Cricinfo’s Freddie Wilde reflected on how their lack of run-scoring power got the better of them:
Still, credit the Royals for eventually crossing the line, but can they get away with a similar display against the Chennai Super Kings? Not a chance—the Kings will punish slack batting and bowling at any given opportunity.
CSK were in deadly form with the bat during their recent six-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians, whereby they needed just 16.4 overs to chase 183 down.
Openers Dwayne Smith and Brendon McCullum were the stars of the show by chalking up respective totals of 62 and 46 with strike rates in the 200s, and that sums up how they’ve been performing all campaign.
Although their bowling may not be at its best, even if the Royals post a score around the 200 mark, Chennai have the personnel to make mince meat of it—especially their opening duo.
McCullum and Smith have been irresistible in this year’s tournament, and the New Zealander told the IPL’s official website that their only goal when at the crease is to enjoy themselves and give the team something to build upon:
“We always try and play reasonably aggressively in this form of the game. Our role within the team is to get us off to a fast start and that's all we try and do. And when it comes off, it obviously gives the team a really good foundation.”
McCullum is five runs behind Rahane in ESPN Cricinfo’s IPL run-scoring charts, and which of the openers produces the best cricket could well decide Sunday’s tie.
With such talent on show, this could well be one of the highest-scoring games of the season, but Chennai’s extra batting power means they may just have the edge.
The Royals will be stubborn—as they normally are—but it’s the Kings who will be crowned winners in this duel.
That would put the duo level on points at the top of the table, and with such mouth-watering fixtures approaching, the IPL drama could well go up a few notches.
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