IPL 2020’s Genuine Title Contenders

The Indian Premier League has run for over a decade and has produced some scintillating cricket throughout.

More than a dozen franchises have battled for the IPL title. Five have come and gone, while eight are still around.

The Mumbai Indians have won the title the most times. No other IPL franchise has won the final four times. If you check resources online that cover everything you need to know about IPL betting, you’ll see bookies offering at 5.00 for a fifth title soon enough.

Mumbai Indians

Mumbai have had plenty of star power line their squads over the years, including Sri Lanka fast bowler Lasith Malinga, West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard and others. These global stars, alongside home talent such as batsman Rohit Sharma, leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal and all-rounder Hardik Pandya, have served the team well, indeed.

When did Mumbai win the IPL?

  • 2013
  • 2015
  • 2017
  • 2019

Royal Challengers Bangalore

The Royal Challengers Bangalore are at longer odds of 8.00 for the title. They’ve played in three finals, but are still in the hunt for a maiden title. A Bangalore unit that has had the likes of West Indian Chris Gayle and Australian Shane Watson in the past still has India’s Virat Kohli and South Africa’s AB de Villiers. This power-packed batting units, though, needs to produce the volume of runs needed to win an IPL title. That said, the Royal Challengers also need their bowlers to complement what their batsmen produce.

When did Bangalore lose three IPL finals?

  • 2009
  • 2011
  • 2016

Chennai Super Kings

The Chennai Super Kings, like the Mumbai Indians, are right up there among the short odds for the IPL title. They are offered at 5.50 for the title. The veteran Mahendra Singh Dhoni and company have won three IPLs and lost five. So, in total, they have appeared in eight of the 12 IPL finals. That number is particularly high when one notes that they didn’t play in two editions. So, in effect, they have reached the final of 80 percent of the IPLs they have played in.

When did Chennai reach the IPL final?

  • 2008
  • 2010
  • 2011
  • 2012
  • 2013
  • 2015
  • 2018
  • 2019

Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals

If it’s rank outsiders and big value on bets if they win, then the Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals are the way to go. Punjab are offered at 10.00 and Rajasthan 9.50. The KXIP will be particularly hard pressed without batting superstar David Miller, who has left for the Royals. Rajasthan won the first ever IPL in 2008, under the leadership of cricket legend Shane Warne. It has been a long wait for a second title since, though.

Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals

For a good deal between long and short odds, there’s the Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals. The Capitals used to be called the Daredevils and have never won the IPL, but have looked good for a maiden title in recent years. They are priced at 7.00. Alternatively, you can get two-time champions Kolkata at 7.50. In previous years, they might have been priced at shorter odds, but they haven’t been at their best in the last couple of editions. They have a new head coach in former Kolkata batsman and New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum. Perhaps he will re-inspire them to the heights of previous years.

When did Kolkata win the IPL?

  • 2012
  • 2014

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Previously, the IPL had the Deccan Chargers. They won the title in 2009. That franchise is now defunct, along with these:

  • Rising Pune Supergiants
  • Kochi Tuskers Kerala
  • Pune Warriors
  • Gujarat Lions

Deccan, though, effectively morphed into the Sunrisers Hyderabad. They have Australian David Warner as captain again – and won the IPL in 2016. Hyderabad are priced at 5.50 for a second title this year.


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