Champions League T20: Bookies' betting bonanza

New Delhi:

Even as the Scotland Yard digs into the murky match-fixing deals in international cricket, the Indian bookies, considered the biggest gambling network in cricket, are eyeing the latest league.

In the Lords Test between Pakistan and England in August, Indian bookies lost Rs 50 crore because while Pakistan was the favourite, England took the Cup. Bookies hope to recover the losses in the ongoing Champions League Twenty20. Over 500 crores are likely to exchange hands during this series alone.

Here are the odds on each team:

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings is the clear favourite followed by Vijay Mallya's Royal Challengers and Sachin Tendulkar's Mumbai Indians. Close on its heels is Australia's Victorian Bushrangers. Then the South African Chevrolet Warrior followed by the South Australian Redbacks. The least favourite is Guyana of West Indies.
 
Here is a look at the odds to a rupee per team:

• Chennai Super Kings Rs 4.60
• Royal Challengers  Rs 4.70
• Mumbai Indians Rs 5
• Victorian Bushrangers Rs 5.10
• Chevrolet Warrior  Rs 9
• Redbacks Rs 10
• Wayamba Eleven Rs 11
• Highveld Lions Rs 17
• Central District Stags Rs 26
• Guyana Rs 27

Even though betting is illegal in India and is now under intense scrutiny, bookies say it has made no impact on high stakes.