IPL Schedule 2016: Fixture Info and Predictions for Upcoming Matches

For a debut franchise in the Indian Premier League, things are going remarkably well for the Gujarat Lions so far this season. They’ll be seeking to extend their perfect record in the competition's 2016 edition when they go head-to-head with the Hyderabad Sunrisers on Thursday.

It’s one of two fascinating contests to be played over the next couple of days, with the IPL now in full flow. The Bangalore Royal Challengers, arguably the most talented team of the eight involved, will play in the other match against the second new team, the Rising Pune Supergiants, on Friday.

With the table still taking shape at this nascent stage, all the teams involved are playing without pressure, and the result has been some captivating clashes to this point. Here are the fixtures to come and a closer look at who will come out on top in the aforementioned games:

Date	Time (BST/IST)	Match	Venue
April 21	3:30 p.m/8 p.m.	Gujarat Lions vs. Sunrisers Hyderabad	Rajkot
April 22	3:30 p.m/8 p.m.	Rising Pune Supergiants vs. Royal Challengers Bangalore	Pune
April 23	11:30 a.m./4 p.m.	Delhi Daredevils vs. Mumbai Indians	Delhi
April 23	3:30 p.m/8 p.m.	Sunrisers Hyderabad vs. Kings XI Punjab	Hyderabad
April 24	11:30 a.m./4 p.m.	Gujarat Lions vs. Royal Challengers Bangalore	Rajkot
April 24	3:30 p.m/8 p.m.	Rising Pune Supergiants vs. Kolkata Knight Riders	Pune

Gujarat Lions vs. Hyderabad Sunrisers

The Lions will be wondering why the IPL has a reputation for being the most competitive Twenty20 format in the world, as they’ve romped to three successive wins to begin their season.

Their last win, which came off the last ball against the Mumbai Indians, was a little nervy. But in their trio of contests, the Lions have looked in control, with Aaron Finch leading the way at the top of the order with the bat.

INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/Getty Images

With a remarkable 191 runs scored in three matches, the Australian has been the driving force behind the team’s early success. Commentator Harsha Bhogle has been impressed with Finch’s efforts:

The Sunrisers haven’t quite found that consistency yet, although there’s no denying they possess the players to halt the momentum of the debutants. They also beat Mumbai in their last outing, by a much more comfortable seven-wicket margin, but most encouragingly for the Sunrisers would be David Warner's performance.

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The left-hander hasn’t been at his best in recent weeks, failing to shine at the World T20 as well as in the tournament's early matches. But he struck a stunning, unbeaten 90 against the Indians. HoldingWilleyCricket summed up how significant he is when it comes to this side:

"

So much depends on Warner's form for #SRH this season!pic.twitter.com/fMihrkg0gI#IPL

— HoldingWilleyCricket (@holdingwilley) April 19, 2016"

What will swing this one the way of the Lions is how Finch is supplemented by others, while Warner is typically a man out on his own.

Brendon McCullum and Suresh Raina are also capable with the bat, while the Lions are arguably in possession of the competition’s most effective bowler—Dwayne Bravo. Bravo took more wickets than anyone in 2015. That balance will see them to a fourth win in four games.

Pick: Gujarat Lions

Rising Pune Supergiants vs. Bangalore Royal Challengers

Rising Pune may not have enjoyed a start as spectacular as the Lions in their first foray into the IPL, but they’ve been solid enough to this point. They’ll face a massive test against the Bangalore superstars, though.

The new boys have only won one of their two matches so far, although there have been signs there's a good team in the making here. Faf du Plessis has led the batting well to this point with some adaptable play, while Murugan Ashwin has shown a lot of class with the ball in hand, taking six wickets in three matches.

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They may feel as though they can get a Bangalore side who continue to be about individual efforts rather than team display. As these figures from their most recent loss to the Mumbai Indians show, their batting seems to get bogged down pretty easily, per cricket statistician Bharath Seervi:

With players like Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli in the XI, the Royal Challengers should have begun this season with much more purpose. After two losses in their first three games, this is a chance to put things right.

Aijaz Rahi/Associated Press

What they do need is one of their star batsmen to go on and make a big score in this one. They may have to show some patience in the middle overs when Ashwin, as aforementioned, is adept at strangling the scoring rate, but it's within this Bangalore group to beat any side.

They also need to tune up their bowling, which was a little ropey in the loss to the Mumbai Indians. Fielding, too, hasn't been their strong point, per cricket commentator Ayaz Memon:

Even so, Bangalore look a little more balanced in all areas of their lineup when compared to the new starters. Provided they can prise Du Plessis out early, they have enough class to take this one away from Rising Pune.  

Pick: Royal Challengers Bangalore