IPL 2024 Tips - High octane tournament on the cards

Not much has changed as far as rules are concerned, but there’s so much to look forward to! We will cover every match with our betting previews, so keep watching this space!

Who has the edge this season? If the market numbers are to be believed, the five-time champion Mumbai Indians have a great chance to win the title this season. The return of Hardik Pandya has cornered all the headlines, with the all-rounder controversially replacing Rohit Sharma as captain. The exciting Gerald Coetzee brings excitement to the bowling stocks, while their core strength of Indian middle-order continues to give them an edge.

Not far off from Mumbai in the favourites market is Chennai Super Kings. The five-time champions are defending their crown and have reached at least the final in ten of the 14 seasons they played. Captain MS Dhoni could be playing his last IPL campaign, and that adds another level of intrigue to this year’s tournament. It is safe to say that Chennai is more than likely to at least reach the final of this campaign.

Following them closely in the odds market is the consistent Rajasthan Royals side! The inaugural champions have gone on to reach the final of just one more campaign, but they have always been there or thereabouts. The latest Indian sensation, Yashasvi Jaiswal, adds a new dimension, and the Royals could be a thorn for many teams.

The next set of teams in the favourites list aren’t quite the ones that hit the top notes, but they can be dangerous in their own way. Think of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who have changed their name with the hope that they can win their first-ever IPL title. The tag ‘Ee sala cap namdhe’ resonates well in the social media space with the RCB fans, who had their first try at a title when the women won the Women’s Premier League earlier in March. Is that a sign of things to come?

Speaking of changes, how about a certain Rishabh Pant back in the saddle at the Delhi Capitals? The hugely popular Indian ‘keeper is back after a life-threatening accident and is likely to be the life of many Indian stadia this season. Can he spur his side to his first IPL title?

The Gujarat Giants are set to start a new chapter under Shubman Gill after Pandya’s move to Mumbai. They rely more on teamwork, but it might not be enough to lift the title. Sunrisers Hyderabad also have a new captain in Pat Cummins, but the charismatic Australian skipper may not be able to change their fortunes overnight. Kolkata Knight Riders have also made changes to their management and have some interesting additions, including Mitchell Starc. While that adds a new layer to the entire tournament, as things stand now, they could only make a splash or two. The same goes with the Punjab Kings, who are unlikely to challenge for the top spot.