IPL Schedule 2017: Updated Fixtures, Start Times and T20 Cricket Predictions
Play-off contenders and potential champions have begun to emerge three weeks into the 2017 Indian Premier League Twenty20 campaign, but this week's upcoming fixture list has the capacity to transform the standings.
Mumbai Indians will be out to increase their lead at the top of the IPL standings when they play host to Rising Pune Supergiant on Monday, hoping to extend a six-match winning streak after losing their season opener.
Reigning champions Sunrisers Hyderabad will be under pressure to hit back from defeat when they travel to face Royal Challengers Bangalore on Tuesday, having lost a third match of the campaign at Pune on Saturday.
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Speaking of rising Pune, coach Stephen Fleming's Supergiant side will play host to Kolkata Knight Riders on Wednesday—just 48 hours after their test against Mumbai—in the hopes they can march a path into the IPL table's top half.
We provide a look toward some of the upcoming encounters in the IPL, complete with predictions and fixture schedule for the days to come.
| 1 | Mumbai Indians | 7 | 6 | 1 | 12 | +0.617 |
| 2 | Kolkata Knight Riders | 7 | 5 | 2 | 10 | +1.177 |
| 3 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 7 | 4 | 3 | 8 | +0.481 |
| 4 | Kings XI Punjab | 7 | 3 | 4 | 6 | -0.319 |
| 5 | Rising Pune Supergiant | 6 | 3 | 3 | 6 | -0.760 |
| 6 | Delhi Daredevils | 6 | 2 | 4 | 4 | +0.848 |
| 7 | Gujarat Lions | 7 | 2 | 5 | 4 | -0.844 |
| 8 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 7 | 2 | 5 | 4 | -1.210 |
| Monday, April 24 | 3:30 p.m./8 p.m. | Mumbai Indians vs. Rising Pune Supergiant | Mumbai Indians |
| Tuesday, April 25 | 3:30 p.m./8 p.m. | Royal Challengers Bangalore vs. Sunrisers Hyderabad | Royal Challengers Bangalore |
| Wednesday, April 26 | 3:30 p.m./8 p.m. | Rising Pune Supergiant vs. Kolkata Knight Riders | Rising Pune Supergiant |
| Thursday, April 27 | 3:30 p.m./8 p.m. | Royal Challengers Bangalore vs. Gujarat Lions | Royal Challengers Bangalore |
Mumbai Extend Winning Run Against Pune
Mumbai coach Mahela Jayawardene could hardly have asked for a more professional response from his side this season, as they have sealed six successive wins after losing to Pune at season's beginning.
Captain Rohit Sharma has provided an experienced and calming presence in that time span, and the Indians' leading figure confessed preparation has been the key to his approach, per Mumbai's official Twitter account:
Mumbai's run came close to ending in their most recent outing—a 14-run win against Delhi Daredevils—and Indian director Rahul Bose illustrated the team's composure under pressure when seeing out that win:
Pune may be seen as underdogs in their trip to Wankhede Stadium this Monday, but they've also recovered form of late, coming back from three consecutive defeats with back-to-back wins against Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
That being said, the Indians look to be in championship-contention form right now, and considering they're yet to lose at home this term so far, Mumbai is sure to prove an unaccommodating venue for the guests.
Predicted Winner: Mumbai Indians
Royal Challengers to Bounce Back in Bangalore
Royal Challengers are in dire need of a big performance after dropping to arguably the most humiliating defeat by any team this season, losing to the Knight Riders in Kolkata by 82 runs.
Bangalore mustered a dismal tally of just 49 runs in foreign territory, and even captain Virat Kohli couldn't defend his side when not a single player managed to score in double figures, per ESPN Cricinfo:
"After the kind of half that we had, we thought we could capitalise and chase it down. Reckless batting. I can't say anything at the moment. It was that bad. This is just not acceptable.
[...]
There's nothing to review anything about the second half, it was that bad. We need to forget it and move forward. We're a much better team. We got 200 plus in the last game. I'm sure everyone realises what they've done wrong.
"
The question now is whether Kohli's team have the fortitude to turn things around at home to the Sunrisers on Tuesday, although transforming so drastically in the space of just 48 hours seems a big ask.
Their sole comfort is knowing Hyderabad lost in their most recent outing, too, although it was largely a heroic display from Pune icon MS Dhoni that led to their six-wicket victory on Saturday:
"Wow! Congratulations @RPSupergiants on a fantastic victory.
— The Gujarat Lions (@TheGujaratLions) April 22, 2017"
An #MSDhoni show all the way. Tough luck @SunRisers. Was a close game! #RPSvSRH
The Sunrisers still look to be getting up to the pace that saw them snatch last season's title, however, and it doesn't help that Hyderabad are yet to record a win on the road in 2017.
Predicted Winner: Royal Challengers Bangalore
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