Sunday's IPL predictions and betting tips: Sharma should shine again for Sunrisers

Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals
Sky Sports Cricket, 10am Sunday

Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians
Sky Sports Cricket, 2pm Sunday

Best bets for Sunday's IPL matches

A Sharma top Hyderabad runscorer
1pt 7-2 Betfair, Paddy Power

Chennai Super Kings
2pts 5-6 BoyleSports

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Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals odds

Here are bet365's latest odds for Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals:

Odds correct at time of publication

Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals predictions

A double helping of IPL action begins at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Sunday morning as ante-post title favourites Sunrisers Hyderabad bid for a winning start when they host Rajasthan Royals.

While Hyderabad are expected to challenge again after last year's runner-up effort, the Royals were 16-1 outsiders before a ball was bowled, so it's no surprise to see the hosts chalked up as 4-7 favourites for their opener.

However, it could pay to swerve those cramped odds and look for value in the top Hyderabad runscorer market, where Abhishek Sharma appears overpriced compared to his likely opening partner Travis Head.

Sharma scored a career-best 484 runs in last year's IPL, prompting a first India call-up in July, then he starred for his country in the 4-1 T20 series win over England at the start of this year, scoring 279 runs including a magnificent 135 in the final match.

He signed off the 2024 regular season with a 28-ball 66 at this venue, which tends to favour bat over ball, and he could start the new campaign with a bang.

Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians odds

Here are bet365's latest odds for Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians:

Odds correct at time of publication

Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians predictions

Sunday's second clash looks more evenly matched but Chennai Super Kings just about hold sway in the betting and can start their season with a success over Mumbai Indians.

Chennai lost out on a place in the 2024 IPL playoffs because of a net run rate which was just 0.067 inferior to that of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and their lack of batting power might well prove to be their undoing as the 2025 season progresses.

However, they are a well-coached side led by former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming, and they are up against a Mumbai team who start the season under a cloud with star seamer Jasprit Bumrah struggling with a back injury which will keep him out of this contest.

Chennai have strengthened their bowling attack this year and should keep Mumbai at bay.

Read more on the 2025 IPL season here:

2025 IPL season predictions: Capitals and Kings look underrated in trophy betting 

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