Mumbai's Rana can steal show as Kohli returns

Bangalore v Mumbai
Sky Sports 2, 11.30am Friday
Gujarat v Pune
Sky Sports 2, 3.30pm Friday

Royal Challengers Bangalore host Mumbai in the first match of an IPL double-header and they have been well backed with punters anticipating the return of batting superstar Virat Kohli.

If the 28-year-old resumes at his best then Betway's 11-4 for him to be top runscorer for the Royal Challengers looks ludicrously big. Kohli's fitness, however, is taken on trust and he can be watched on his 2017 bow.

Instead, consider backing Mumbai's Nitish Rana to top the batting charts for the visitors. He has fired 34, 50 and 45 from three appearances this season and looks value at 11-2 to continue his fine form.

In the later match, Gujarat are narrow favourites to see off Pune but the Lions are the only winless franchise in the competition and make little appeal.

There's a full round of County Championship matches and Yorkshire should be backed to get the better of Warwickshire at Edgbaston.

The White Rose were stunned by a Hampshire fightback in their season opener but bowled well in the first innings, while newly-appointed captain Gary Ballance starred with the bat.

They can kick-start their campaign with victory over a side who suffered an innings defeat against Surrey in their first match.

Recommendations
N Rana top Mumbai runscorer
1pt 11-2 Sky Bet
Yorkshire
2pts 8-11 general