IPL 2018 | Three best matches of the first week

BySportscafe Marketing, SportsCafe Editor

04/04/2018

So, finally, the IPL is here, with all its glory knocking on the doors to tell you to wear that jersey, grab a food packet and sit in front of the TV to cheer for your favorite team. It is that time of the year to delve so much into the tourney and not just because of the sheer entertainment value.

While everyone may have started their preparation to welcome the one and half month league with open arms, we just decided to bring three most awaited matches of the first week.

Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings

Can’t be a better tournament opener. One is the only team to have reached the playoffs every season they have participated in and the other is the most successful team in the league with as many as three titles next to their name. As the first horn will blow at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday, the two big shots in the history IPL will fight - not only to get the tournament underway on a good note but also to secure the bragging rights that have been so endearing to the fans all over the country. And the match will also see MS Dhoni donning that blazing yellow once again to lead the side and although odds are in favour of the defending champions, it will not be as easy an encounter it seems it will be. Tell us a better tournament opener than this and drinks are on me.

Kings XI Punjab vs Delhi Daredevils

In the first North Indian derby of the IPL, two impressive teams of the year will lock horns on a Sunday afternoon at the Punjab Cricket Association Bindra Stadium in Mohali. Look at the teams and there is a sense of optimism in both camps - not just because it is natural to have one ahead of a big tournament like this, especially because of the way the auction had been panned out for them. While both teams have no cutting edge, which may cause a problem in the big matches, both the teams have been well stacked up with a lot of promise. Very rarely it has been that a Punjab-Delhi attracts viewers, but this time, things are different and with betting companies marking Delhi as the favourites, it would be an excellent match to look forward to.

Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore

This too promises to attract a lot of following. While Royal Challengers Bangalore have been the perennial bridesmaids in the league, it is never wise to write Kolkata off. The latter, despite having a lot of unproven players over the years, managed to groom them to such an extent that they helped them to go all the way in the tournament. On the other hand, Royal Challengers Bangalore have Virat Kohli, of all people, and the man who is obsessed with winning would definitely try to put the disappointment of the first edition to start the season on a high. Keep a close look at the match on Sunday to know what betting favourites Bangalore can do this season.