2017 IPL finals betting tips for Indians vs. Supergiants

THE top two teams will fight it out this week for a place in the 2017 Indian Premier League final.

Mumbai Indians led all comers in the league phase, dropping only four games out of 14.

However, two of those defeats came in the last three fixtures – one to defending champs Sunrisers Hyderabad, the other to the now-eliminated Kings XI Punjab.

Chief wicket-takers Mitchell McCleneghan and Jasprit Bumrah were benched for the win over Kolkata Knight Riders last time out, with Tim Southee and Mitchell Johnson handed rare starts.

While both got among the wickets, neither did so with any great economy – a problem for Mumbai’s seamers all season.

Saurabh Tiwary impressed on his first start of the year, hitting 52 at the top of the order, while Ambati Rayudu – deputy wicketkeeper in Parthiv Patel’s absence – knocked 63 in only his second run of IPL 2017.

That begs the question: will Patel, who has failed to pass 20 only twice in his last eight hits, return to the XI to face Pune?

Supergiants finished the league rounds in fine form, winning five of their last six games to sew up second place.

The last of those was a nine-wicket mauling of Kings XI, who were dismissed for only 73 runs with Jaydev Unadkat, Shardul Thakur, Adam Zampa and Dan Christian all claiming multiple wickets.

Rahul Tripathi was the only man out as Pune’s talented top three reeled in that tiny total with eight overs to spare.

The unerring consistency of Steve Smith sees him sitting equal fifth in the 2017 IPL batting charts with 420 runs at 42.00, while Unadkat (21 wickets) and Imran Tahir (18) make up two of the top three bowlers in the tournament.

Tahir was unavailable for the win over KXIP, and there is a chance Zampa will have to fill his boots once more in Wednesday’s qualifier.

Lendl Simmons top batsman bets

• To score 50 – +275 at Ladbrokes
• Top match batsman – +500 at Sportsbet
• Most match sixes – +750 at Bet365

Simmons is an all-or-nothing kind of player, and his record this season backs that up.

In four hits since coming into the side at the start of May, the talented Trinidadian has returned scores of 66, one, 59 and zero.

On that evidence alone, one would be tempted to back a big innings from Simmons just to complete the sequence.

But in all seriousness, he is a seriously gifted strokemaker with shots all over the place and should be in every punter’s thinking for top runscorer.

Steve Smith betting specials

• Over 28.5 runs – -120.48 at Ladbrokes
• Top Supergiants batsman – +275 at Sportsbet
• Man of the match – +900 at Bet365

At a glance, it might appear to some observers that Smith is having an ordinary season.

But while he has passed 50 only twice in 13 innings, the Australian star has found ways to contribute in just about every one of those knocks.

What the stats line does not tell you is that Smith has failed to reach double figures only twice in IPL 2017.

It does not matter what colour the ball is, nor how many overs are on the cards – this guys loves a big occasion and will aim to lead by example.

Indians vs. Supergiants match tip

Rising Pune Supergiant to win – +123 at Sportsbet

Indians finished top and head in as favourites, but how good are they really?

Their standout player has probably been McClenaghan, yet his 18 wickets have come at a cost of 461 runs – more than any other front-line bowler has conceded this season.

Pune, by contrast, have consistent contributors throughout the batting order and a number of dangerous wicket-taking options.

Even if Tahir does not play, the Supergiants are an excellent chance to keep on rising.