Indian Premier League - IPL 
/ Ed Hawkins / 24 May 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Lasith Malinga will need to be his usual economical self if Mumbai are to restrict Kolkata's in-form batsmen
"Mumbai have been a little guilty of relying too much on Sachin Tendulkar and we should expect the Knight Riders to get a foothold at some stage. Indeed, Mumbai’s form has been poor, winning only one of their previous four."
Sachin Tendulkar's Mumbai Indians were all the rage in the IPL winner market a couple of weeks ago but they're in pretty poor form right now against a team who seems to be constantly improving. Make the most of the generous price on offer about the underdogs, says Ed Hawkins.
Mumbai
James Franklin is Mumbai's gun man for this contest after a fantastic performance last time out against Kolkata. Franklin, the New Zealander, took 2-35 and then smashed 45 off 23 balls to help get Mumbai a crucial win. Lasith Malinga was wicketless in that match but at 5.25 runs per over was economical.
Kolkata
Jacques Kallis, with 59, top scored for KKR in the game against Mumbai from the No 1 position. Yusuf Pathan, the aggressive middle-order hitter, made 36 from 27 balls. Rajat Bhatia, the medium-fast bowler, took 3-22 but couldn't get KKR home.
Match odds
At 137-5 Mumbai looked beaten against KKR but Franklin and Ambati Rayudu hit back to boost Mumbai ahead of this eliminator. It was the first meeting of the sides in IPL4.
Still, it is a surprise to see such a gulf in prices on the match odds. KKR are as big as [2.36] with Mumbai [1.72]. It's very doubtful whether that is justified.
KKR finished two points behind Mumbai in the table but had a superior run rate and were more economical with the ball. Certainly they look a value back-to-lay option, particularly if they are able to make an early breakthrough with the ball.
Mumbai have been a little guilty of relying too much on Sachin Tendulkar and we should expect the Knight Riders to get a foothold at some stage. Indeed, Mumbai's form has been poor, winning only one of their previous four.
Top Kolkata runscorer
Kallis and Gautam Gambhir, with 417 and 374 runs respectively, are the main attractions in this market but we should not forget the talents of the so-called lesser lights. Manoj Tiwary has 355 runs and could be value at around [6.00]; also don't forget the hitting prowess of Ryan ten Doeschate.
Best bet: back-to-lay KKR at [2.36].
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