RCB lose favourites tag after slow start

It's early days yet in the 2017 IPL, but after two defeats in their opening three matches, the pre-tournament favourites, Royal Challengers Bangalore, are already losing ground in their bid to claim a maiden title.

RCB, 7/2 favourites before a ball had been bowled, have slipped out to 13/2. Their latest defeat came at the hands of Kings XI Punjab in Indore, where not even the free-scoring return of AB de Villiers could shake their batting out of its current torpor. With Chris Gayle dropped and Virat Kohli injured, de Villiers made 89 not out from 46 balls, but was unable to farm enough of the strike to keep Hashim Amla and Glenn Maxwell at bay.

Instead, the new favourites are last year's champions, Sunrisers Hyderabad - RCB's conquerors in the opening round, and most recently too good for Gujarat Lions, thanks to the Aussie pairing of David Warner and Moises Henriques. At 7/2, they lead the field from Kings XI (4/1), with two other former champions, Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders, lurking with intent in the middle of the pack at 11/2.

There's not a lot of love as yet for Delhi Daredevils, bringing up the rear at 14/1 after losing their only match to date against RCB. Sam Billings, their English import, has the chance to make himself a hero if he can shore up their apparently fragile batting.