"According to various human intelligence networks in and around Delhi, betting syndicates have put their money behind Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders. Initially CSK was clearly the favourite but even though they have been performing quite well, syndicates think otherwise," the officer said.
While zeroing in on some of the largest cricket betting syndicates of the country, the Crime Branch of Delhi police stumbled upon something unexpected – Indian Premier League (IPL) match predictions made by the very same syndicates. No music to ears to cricket fans, especially the ones who felt that the betting syndicates often got their calculations right.
A senior police officer with the Crime Branch told dna that while MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) started off as the hot favourites to win this year's edition of IPL, the results of the matches held so far has made the betting 'industry' to shift focus on two other teams which they feel could emerge victorious.
According to him, Rajasthan Royals is the most favoured team in betting circles with CSK not even making it to the second spot. Shahrukh Khan-owned Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has emerged the second favourite.
"According to various human intelligence networks in and around Delhi, betting syndicates have put their money behind Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders. Initially CSK was clearly the favourite but even though they have been performing quite well, syndicates think otherwise," the officer said.
The Dhoni-led franchise has twice been winners in 2010 and 2011 edition of the IPL. CSK have also been runner-up in three editions (2008, 2012 and 2013). The star-studded Royal Challengers Banglore (RCB), does not even make into the final four and neither do Mumbai Indians who carry a strong legacy of cricketing legend, Sachin Tendulkar.
The officer added that while in earlier matches a lot of bets were put on performances of individual players, the trend has diminished vastly following the IPL spot-fixing scandal that hit the cricketing world in 2013.
"The powerful betting syndicates have their lobbies in place and as we have seen in the past, did manage to influence some of the players. But situation is quite different. So the focus has entirely shifted to match results rather than players," said the officer.
Dinesh Kumar Gupta, deputy commissioner of police (Crime), confirming that atleast 4-5 investigative teams have been constituted ahead of the 2015 IPL to counter the betting syndicate, said the department is closing in on some syndicates based in the national capital. "We are building on the intelligence inputs and will take action soon," Gupta said.
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