India on top, bookies to shift hideouts during World Cup

India seems to be the flavour of the season. After initial reports that South Africa had emerged as the most likely nation to lift the cricket World Cup beginning Saturday, local bookies have now decided to go with India. This comes even as no host nation has been able to win the cup till now. India's rush to the top came after its two emphatic wins against Australia and New Zealand at Chennai during the warm-up games.

According to bookies, India are the favourites with the odds staked at 3.05/1 for a win. This is comparable to the international odds which have been pegged at 3.00/1. Though the English bookies have kept Australia as the second most probable to lift the cup - given its recent performance against a strong English side and its number one rank in ODI cricket - their Delhi counterparts put Sri lanka at 4.70, ahead of Australia at 5.15. South Africa, often dubbed the chokers, was just behind Australia at 5.30.

"The fact remains that Sri Lanka, too, will play at home. With several all-rounders in both the Indian and South African teams, we believe the likes of Yousuf Pathan, Suresh Raina, Ajantha Mendis and Virendra Sehwag to play a major role. However, this is a long tournament and there are always chances of players getting injured. These rates will certainly change once the action begins on Saturday,'' said a bookie.

The other end has Pakistan (8.80), England (9.80) and New Zealand and West Indies (22.50). Though the cricketing minnows have been kept out of the equation, bookies say they are expecting Bangladesh - the third of the host nations - to put up a "spirited'' performance.

Police, though, seem reluctant to act against Delhi-based bookies this time round. Most bookies are expected to operate from different areas of central and northwest Delhi. "We nabbed some bookies during the FIFA world cup. But to date, no one has been prosecuted. Many of them, wanted in cases dating back to the last cricket world cup, have escaped paying petty fines. You can only stop them temporarily, but the industry is worth crores and manages to bounce back,'' said a senior district officer on condition of anonymity.

A bookie told TOI that "heightened'' police action was still likely once the tournament reaches the quarter final stage and that they will be "rotating'' their hideouts across the city. "We will be entertaining bets only through verified references so that our business is not affected,'' said the bookie.
Source: TimesofIndia