Your A-Z of IPL Betting (2021)

IPL Betting Tips & Predictions 2021

Here's our take on how the teams might fare in the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League. However, remember that even the best cricket predictions in the world cannot guarantee success. You will have to put in your own research for these IPL betting tips to work in your favour. Also, a generous sprinkling of luck can do wonders.

Chennai Super Kings

Three-time champion Chennai Super Kings will look to get back to winning ways after missing out on the play-offs’ berth for the first time in 2020.

Team Info

• Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium
• Coach: Stephen Fleming
• Captain: MS Dhoni
• Champions: 2010, 2011, 2018
• Matches played: 180
• Wins: 106
• Losses: 72
• Win %: 58.88
• Key players for IPL 2021: MS Dhoni (c), Faf du Plessis, Sam Curran, Ruturaj Gaikwad

CSK were below par last season, finishing seventh (their lowest-ever standing) on the points table. This came as a shocker all the more, considering they had never finished outside the top four in all these years.

The three-time champion (and five-time runner-up) haven’t chopped and changed much, sticking to their experienced stars and bringing in just the right amount of balance with younger talents. MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, and Dwayne Bravo have been retained. On the other hand, Krishnappa Gowtham and Moeen Ali have come on board.

Young Ruturaj Gaikwad emerging as a top performer in 2020 should augur well for the Chennai-based outfit. He will look to showcase his batting prowess this year as well, and that should be heartening news for CSK.

IPL Betting Prediction for CSK

We hate to say this but maybe a sixth spot at best. Their current IPL odds are 8.50 on William Hill, and that is proof that CSK are nothing more than underdogs this season.

Our Verdict

Yes, they have an experienced squad. But maybe, just maybe, the team is past their glory days. That’s because the squad remains largely the same as that of 2020, and that cannot be the best of news for Dhoni and Co. Sure, Dwayne Bravo, Faf, Tahir, Raina, and the captain himself are assets for the team. But we think the play-offs could again prove to be an insurmountable hill for the former champions.

Bet on CSK on bet365!

Kolkata Knight Riders

Think about it this way. If there were to be an IPL family (in fiction, of course), with each team representing one kid in that family, KKR would be that wayward son. The two-time champion missed the play-offs bus in 2020 by a whisker (blame it on their sorry net run rate), and honestly, there’s no reason to think they won’t miss it again.

Team Info

• Venue: Eden Gardens
• Coach: Brendon McCullum
• Captain: Eoin Morgan
• Champions: 2012, 2014
• Matches played: 196
• Wins: 99
• Losses: 93
• Win %: 51.56
• Key players for IPL 2021: Eoin Morgan (c), Shakib Al Hasan, Andre Russell, Pat Cummins, Shubman Gill, Sunil Narine

The two-time winners have been going through a dip in form over the last few seasons, failing to make it to the qualifiers in both 2020 and 2019. And this poor show came despite having qualified for the play-offs three times consecutively – in 2016, 2017, and 2018.

So, while most may bet on the Shahrukh Khan-owned team to turn their fortunes around, we have our reservations. That’s because KKR have predominantly been a bowling-heavy unit, and unless their batting order fires (which they haven’t been doing for quite some time now), their bowlers can only do so much.

For 2021, the outfit has only released six players and retained nearly all their big-ticket performers, including England captain Eoin Morgan and Australian Pat Cummins. Thank heavens Andre Russell is there, for he can take bowlers to the cleaners at his will. Sunil Narine is part of the squad as well, but we think the Trinidadian may have just become a shadow of his former self.

That said, KKR will need these two to fire in all cylinders if they have to get anywhere close to the play-offs.

IPL Betting Prediction for KKR

A fifth-place finish is what we think. KKR’s IPL odds are 10.00 on betfred.

Our Verdict

If all the King’s men hit full throttle, no force can stop KKR from storming into the play-offs (and then beyond). But the problem is they are expecting pretty much the same squad to turn things around for them this time. It is the squad that could not lift them to the play-offs in 2020. And that makes for confusing arithmetic, to be honest.

That said, they undoubtedly have the batting and bowling chops to win the league (we shouldn’t forget they have won it twice). But will the lack of depth in their batting order come back to haunt them?

Bet on KKR on bet365!

Delhi Capitals

What’s in a name? Apparently so much, particularly when it comes to the Delhi-based outfit. Since having been rechristened Delhi Capitals, there has been a sudden change in fortune (for good) for the Ricky Ponting-coached and Rishabh Pant-led team.

Let’s see what IPL betting may have in store for you if you bet on Delhi Capitals.

Team Info

• Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium (formerly Feroz Shah Kotla)
• Coach: Ricky Ponting
• Captain: Rishabh Pant
• Champions: Never
• Matches played: 192
• Wins: 85
• Losses: 104
• Win %: 44.40
• Key players for IPL 2021: Rishabh Pant (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Kagiso Rabada, Marcus Stoinis, Steven Smith

For the first time in seven years, Delhi Capitals had reached the qualifiers in 2019. In 2020, they did one better as they played their first-ever final since the inaugural IPL in 2008.

However, a defeat at the hands of Mumbai Indians meant their title drought was not to end. But as the Delhi-based team still searches for their maiden IPL title, things look good for them in 2021 as well (with Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, and Shikhar Dhawan in top form, while Rabada and South African Anrich Nortje leading their pace attack).

We think Nortje is one of the best bargains of the league (the speedster came at a meagre Rs 89.82 lakh), and his retention was so critical.

In fact, Delhi Capitals have managed to retain the majority of their players who led the charge in 2020, including captain Rishabh Pant and the wily Ravichandran Ashwin — two of the most vital cogs in the unit.

IPL Betting Prediction for DC

We back them to reach the final yet again. Currently, DC have IPL odds of 6.50 on be365.

Our Verdict

Most of the players, who powered the side to their first IPL final in 2020, have been retained. Such a move can motivate players and do wonders for the morale in the dressing room. Anrich Nortje is in the wickets, Shikhar Dhawan had a good outing against England, and so did Rishabh Pant. Throw Kagiso Rabada into the mix, and it is easy to understand why Delhi Capitals are an excellent choice for IPL betting in 2021.

Bet on DC on bet365!

Mumbai Indians

Five-time champions Mumbai Indians are definitely the favourites this time around as well. They are late starters in every edition, but become a formidable opponent once they find their rhythm.

Team Info

• Venue: Wankhede Stadium
• Coach: Mahela Jayawardene
• Captain: Rohit Sharma
• Champions: 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020
• Matches played: 204
• Wins: 120
• Losses: 83
• Win %: 58.82
• Key players for IPL 2021: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Quinton de Kock, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan

Think of the Australian cricket team of the 1990 and 2000s. Other sides just couldn’t figure out a way to beat them. Well, the Rohit Sharma-led side is surely following in their footsteps.

Mumbai Indians are the most successful outfit in the Indian Premier League, having won five titles overall (and successively in 2019 and 2020). So, it’s no shocker that the team is expected to continue their stunning record in 2021 as well.

They’ve changed barely from the squad that proved too hot to handle for their rivals in 2020. Lasith Malinga could be a significant departure, but he did not play last season. It is nearly an unchanged squad, barring a few notable arrivals like Nathan Coulter-Nile (who comes in for Rs 5 crore), Piyush Chawla, and New Zealander Adam Milne.

The best part about MI is that they have adequate firepower in almost every department — Rohit and de Kock at the top, Suryakumar, Ishan Kishan, and the Pandyas making vital contributions at the middle, and Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult forming the fiery pace duo.

Mumbai Indians probably don’t have a weak link in their setup.

IPL Betting Predictions on MI

Champions. What else? Currently, they have the lowest IPL odds of 3.75 on Bet365, and that should tell you they are the outright favourites yet again.

Our Verdict

Mumbai Indians are a solid outfit packed with matchwinners. Most importantly, the management has been wise to not tinker with the winning formula. Our bets are on them to bring home a sixth title.

Bet on MI on Betway!

Punjab Kings

The men from Punjab are still looking for their maiden IPL title, despite having finished second in 2014. Called Kings XI Punjab till the last season, PBKS are consistently inconsistent, and they haven’t made it to the play-offs in the previous six editions of the IPL.

Team Info

• Venue: IS Bindra Stadium
• Coach: Anil Kumble
• Captain: KL Rahul
• Champions: Never
• Matches played: 190
• Wins: 87
• Losses: 101
• Win %: 45.29
• Key players for IPL 2021: KL Rahul (c), Chris Gayle, Mohammed Shami, Jhye Richardson, Chris Jordan, Moises Henriques

Will the change in name bring about a change in fortunes?

Punjab Kings have only ever got to one final, eventually losing to KKR in the nerve-wracking 2014 edition. In 2020, they finished sixth, which made it six years in a row (2015-2020) that they haven’t qualified for the play-offs.

But captain KL Rahul was the top run-getter in 2020. That, along with Chris Gayle’s resurgence, adds a lot of quality and stability to the Punjab batting order. If you thought about writing Gayle off, think again. Last year, the Jamaican scored 288 runs in seven innings, batting at number 3 for PBKS. More recently, he had a respectable outing in the Pakistan Super League as well.

On paper, the team looks to have made a few strong acquisitions, including that of Jhye Richardson (at a whopping Rs 14 crore!), Dawid Malan, Riley Meredith, and Moises Henriques. On the surface, their overseas players look a settled bunch.

Richardson’s wicket-taking abilities are well known, but Dawid Malan’s form is a bit of a concern. He had a forgettable outing in the recently concluded India vs England series, indicating that the Englishman still hasn’t found his rhythm on Indian tracks and subcontinental conditions.

IPL Betting Predictions on PBKS

We reckon it will be a seventh-place finish for KL Rahul and Co. at best. In fact, we won’t be surprised if they languish at the bottom of the table. Currently, they have IPL odds of 13.00 on Bet365, so that should give you an idea.

Our Verdict

Overall, Punjab Kings are a strong side on paper, but will the lack of depth once again spoil the party? We think it may just.

Bet on PBKS on BoyleSports!

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Sunrisers Hyderabad, champion in 2016 and runners-up in 2018, will look to enter the play-offs for a sixth consecutive time. How does the Orange Army compare on paper?

Team Info

• Venue: Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium
• Coach: Trevor Bayliss
• Captain: David Warner
• Champions: 2016
• Matches played: 125
• Wins: 66
• Losses: 58
• Win %: 53.00
• Key players for IPL 2021: David Warner (c), Kane Williamson, Jonny Bairstow, Rashid Khan, T Natarajan

Since having become champions in 2016, the Hyderabad-based outfit has reached the play-offs every time. For 2021, they have almost retained their squad from the previous year and will hope to make it to the play-offs once again.

Led by David Warner, the Orange Army will want their faith in the current line-up to pay off.

Their batting looks to be in safe hands, powered by captain Warner, Jonny Bairstow, and Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson. Manish Pandey is an extremely valuable bat as well, and he has proven that time and time again.

Then there is the Afghan superstar Rashid Khan leading their bowling from the front. His countryman Mujeeb Ur Rahman will hope to contribute with both bat and ball.

West Indian Jason Holder is a key all-rounder in the setup, and he will hope that the experience of captaining his international side pays off in the IPL.

All in all, SRH are a balanced side, no doubt. But they must battle complacency and the urge to rely heavily on the big stars if they have to get to the play-offs, which we think they will.

IPL Betting Predictions on SRH

We reckon SRH will easily reach the play-offs. They might do better than that, of course, but a berth among the top four is definitely in the offing. Currently, IPL odds on SRH are 11.00 on 10Bet.

Our Verdict

Unspectacular and almost dull on the surface, but extremely consistent. That’s SRH for you. Yes, they would’ve liked a little more depth to their squad, but a play-offs berth is almost guaranteed.

Bet on SRH on 888sport!

Rajasthan Royals

Winners of the inaugural Indian Premier League in 2008, Rajasthan Royals’ has largely been a disappointing story since. Having finished seventh in 2019 and eighth in 2020, will the Sanju Samson-led side be able to pull itself out of the rut? Does the spectre of yet another lacklustre season loom large over the Jaipur-based outfit?

Team Info

• Venue: Sawai Mansingh Stadium
• Coach: Andrew McDonald
• Captain: Sanju Samson
• Champions: 2008
• Matches played: 164
• Wins: 81
• Losses: 78
• Win %: 50.64
• Key players for IPL 2021: Sanju Samson (c), Chris Morris, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer

Bottom of the pile in 2020, Rajasthan Royals are almost out of the contention this time as well, with Jofra Archer’s fitness issues only adding to their problems.

Although they languished at the bottom last season, the team boasted the league’s MVP in Archer, which hints at the massive rift between Rajasthan’s star players and the remainder of the squad.

The fact that Archer is nursing an injury is bad news, of course. But that’s not the only grim news the camp will have to deal with. There has always been a lack of depth in their order. Yes, Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes are good buys, but remember that a team can field a maximum of four overseas players in a match.

With Steve Smith gone, the team hasn’t reinvested wisely, throwing all their funds away at South African Chris Morris. Don’t get us wrong, we are not downing a man who took 11 scalps and bowled frugally for Royal Challengers Bangalore last year, but that still doesn’t quite address the lack of depth in their line-up.

IPL Betting Predictions on RR

They could finish eighth again. The team is heavily reliant on Buttler, Stokes, Archer, and now Morris. Sure, they have a powerful bat in Sanju Samson, but his captaincy will be put to the test during crunch situations, especially if any top player must sit out a game. Archer’s injury could be a huge blow.

Currently, Rajasthan Royals have IPL odds of 10.00 on Betvictor.

Our Verdict

Of course, sports is unpredictable. Anything can go down on a given day. That said, we are afraid the Royals are set for yet another disappointing outing in 2021.

Bet on RR on Betway!

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Virat Kohli’s RCB are still huffing and puffing for their maiden IPL championship and will be desperate to do better than only reaching the play-offs, which they did in 2020.

Team Info

• Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
• Coach: Simon Katich
• Captain: Virat Kohli
• Champions: Never
• Matches played: 211
• Wins: 96
• Losses: 108
• Win %: 45.50
• Key players for IPL 2021: Virat Kohli (c), AB De Villiers, Glenn Maxwell, Yuzvendra Chahal, Devdutt Padikkal

Virat Kohli’s RCB will look to build on their performance in 2020. The Indian captain could also open the batting this time, with an eye on the ICC T20 World Cup later this year. He will hope to replicate his success while opening along with Rohit Sharma in the fifth T20I vs England.

Their batting line-up looks in place, with Devdutt Padikkal emerging as a star performer in 2020. The experienced Kohli-de Villiers duo adds stability and depth. Kyle Jamieson and Glenn Maxwell are big-ticket acquisitions. However, after a modest 2020, the latter must prove that his big-hitting abilities aren’t a thing of the past.

Dan Christian is yet another overseas buy, and he comes with an incredible amount of T20 experience.

IPL Betting Predictions on RCB

We are betting on RCB to make the play-offs. Currently, they have IPL odds of 5.50 on William Hill.

Our Verdict

A few things seem to be working for them:

• First, they had a good outing in 2020, where almost the entire team looked in sync.
• Second, it was Devdutt Padikkal’s coming-of-age IPL. The youngster let his bat do the talking, which was integral to them reaching the play-offs. This time, the 20-year-old arrives on the back of four successive List A centuries for his home state, Karnataka. That can only be good news for the Kohlis and the Maxwells.
• Add to that the quality and experience of de Villiers and Captain Kohli, and you see why we fancy them to run for play-offs again.
• Young New Zealander Kyle Jamieson should prove to be a critical addition to their bowling attack.

Bet on RCB on bet365!