World Cup 2015: Would You Bet on India Retaining the Crown?
Australia are the hot favourites amongst bookies, while poor form hurts India's odds.
The Cricket World Cup 2015 is set to start from Saturday and as expected, the bookies around the world are warming up for the quadrennial extravaganza. Although, betting on cricket is illegal in India, abroad, it's a way to make some quick bucks and betting websites such as Ladbrokes, Betfair, Williamhill and Skybet offer their subscribers with exciting options.
In India, the odds aren't available, hence the bookies have to generate their business relying on phones and good rapport. However, that hasn't stopped them from gearing up for the World Cup. According to sources in the betting industry, the punters have already collected bets of 10 thousand crores across the country. (Ishant Sharma's Absence Won't Make a Difference to Team India: Sourav Ganguly)
The money's big but the odds are stacked against the defending champions, India. The Indian team has been in poor form and judging their recent-form, it's highly unlikely that MS Dhoni's men will keep hold of the Cup.
The bookies agree.
According to the betting sites around the world, Australia are the overwhelming favourites to lift the Cup at home. The betting websites calculate Australia's odds at 2/1 while South Africa follows them at 4/1. India, however, are listed at fifth position with New Zealand and England placed at third and fourth, respectively. (Brendon McCullum Says Current New Zealand Team the Best he has Played in)
Even the desi bookies aren't too optimistic about Team India. Australia again, rule the roost, with stakes at 2/1, i.e. two rupees for every rupee, with South Africa in second position at 3/1. New Zealand grab the third place with odds of 5/1 while India find themselves at fourth spot with odds of 9/1. (Adelaide Yet to Come in Grip of India vs Pakistan Battle)
England (10/1), Sri Lanka (12/1), Pakistan (16/1) and West Indies (25/1) fill up the next slots while the minnows are available at very long odds. Bangladesh is available at 200/1 while Ireland (250/1), Zimbabwe (400/1), Afghanistan (500/1), Scotland (800/1) and United Arab Emirates (1000/1) aren't fancied by the bookies at all. According to the punters, these teams are way too weak and it will be shocking if any of them land the title.
Apart from tournament favourites, one can also bet on top scorer of each game, highest scorer/wicket-taker of the tournament and even man of the series. Who are you putting your money on?