Bookies try to make hay

Hyderabad: While cricket fans made their plans to root for India over Pakistan in the Champions Trophy at the Oval in London, on Sunday, bookies were busy setting out betting rates.

A local betting ring organiser said the going rate for India to lift the trophy a second time in succession was 1.4: For every Rs 100 a bet, the punter would get Rs 140 if India won.

Those that took the risk of betting on Pakistan would earn at 2.7, or Rs 270 for every Rs 100 bet if India lost.

Bookies were also taking bets on many other aspects of the game such as the score in each over, the score after 10 overs, total score, individual scores of batsmen, wickets among others.

“Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma are the tournament’s leading scores. Naturally, there will be more bets on their individual scores. Virat Kohli’s individual score will also be a matter of interest for the punters,” a betting ring organiser said.

“Since Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah have been performing well with the ball, there will be bets on the number of wickets they will take,” he said.

In the Pakistan team, Azhar Ali’s individual sco-re will be the focus. The second player everybody looking forward to is Fakhar Zaman. Many bets will be on Hasan Ali’s also, he said. 

Outside the betting rings, most fans have decided to stay at home and watch the match. Pubs have upped their sporting quotient with an Indian twist. “We have arranged a Dhol baja band,” said Surendra Vana-m of 10 Downing Street. 

Mr Sandeep Patluri of Mustang Terrace Lounge in Gachibowli hoped there would be no rain delay.

Most fans were banking on India to win. “It is 80-20 in favour of India. But all it takes is two players to change the match,” says a cricket fan. 

Fans have taken to social media to show their support for the Men in Blue. “On social media I bonded with many cricket lovers. I am from IT, there’s an experienced cardio surgeon, there is one guy from the US and we all will be glued to the screen,” said Vibhash.  Chandra.