Match fixing has reared its ugly head in cricket again, but the controversy has not deterred bookmakers from betting big on the Champions League Twenty20, which began on Friday in South Africa.
With the Twenty20 tournament being a big event in the annual international cricket calendar, bookies are expecting business of more than Rs 20,000 crore.
Of the 10 participating teams in the tournament, three are Indian Premier League (IPL) teams, with M.S. Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings being the bookies’ favourites to lift the trophy.
The odds on Chennai winning the tournament are placed at Rs 4.1 per every rupee bet.
Royal Challengers Bangalore led by Anil Kumble is a close second with odds of Rs 4.25 per every rupee bet. Last IPL’s runners-up Mumbai Indians, led by batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar, are fourth favourites behind Victoria Bushrangers from Australia. The odds on Mumbai and Victoria are Rs 5.9 and Rs 4.6 per every rupee bet respectively.
Also, besides taking bets on results of every match, bookies are also keen on ‘sessions’ bets (bets placed on the score made in the first 8 overs by both teams) and bets on full innings’ scores.
{{/usCountry}}Also, besides taking bets on results of every match, bookies are also keen on ‘sessions’ bets (bets placed on the score made in the first 8 overs by both teams) and bets on full innings’ scores.
{{/usCountry}}According to a bookie from the western suburbs, even though many bookmakers have gone underground following the match-fixing controversy, fearing action from law enforcement agencies, largely the business has been unaffected.
“We don’t have to sit at one place to take bet. Everything is mobile,” said the bookie, adding that several bookies have moved outside Mumbai and are operating from smaller cities and towns.
Some bookies are even taking bets on the move.
“They carry a laptop and an internet data card to watch the match. The rates are changed as the score changes,” said the bookie.