IPL 2021 looks set to start off with a bang as the BCCI confirmed the IPL schedule for the upcoming competition. The world’s favourite cricket tournament will make its welcome return on Friday 9 April when defending champions Mumbai Indians will take on Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Royal Challengers will certainly be looking to make a strong start and first impression against the five time winners after a record breaking IPL auction which saw them add key names to their roster ahead of the upcoming season.
RCB broke the bank to land New Zealand pacer Kyle Jamieson for an incredible ₹15 crore which made the Kiwi the second most expensive player of the auction and the third most expensive of all time.
The IPL season is always renowned for its fast paced and furious start, and this time round it looks no different with IPL betting tips and cricket tipsters looking to back a winner already.
The IPL Auction itself foreshadows what promises to be a landmark season for IPL 2021 as global interest is garnered and will see a return of the competition to Indian shores after a brief hiatus last season with the competition finding a temporary home in the UAE.
Despite not shelling out record figures themselves, Mumbai Indians remain the key favourites to keep their silverware and go on to win a record sixth trophy during the course of this year’s IPL season.
Most international bookmakers currently have Mumbai Indians priced at around 4.50 with last year’s finalists Delhi Capitals swiftly following suit at 5.50.
Royal Challengers Bangalore will open proceedings on 9 April, meeting the defending champions, are priced as third favourites just behind last year’s finalists at around 6.0.
Other stand out ties in the immediate opening days will see the likes of Chennai Super Kings meet Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad meeting Kolkata Knight Riders in what promises to be an intense opening weekend affair for IPL fans regardless of allegiance.
A total of ₹1,45,30,00,000 was spent across all eight teams on a total of 57 players sold at the IPL auction, a statement of intent ahead of the new season. It has so far proven to be one of the most lucrative auctions in IPL history. A total of 22 overseas players switched allegiances in the process.
Aside from the record breaking Chris Morris deal who made a move to Rajasthan Royals, it was the Punjab Kings, Chennai Super Kings and the aforementioned Royal Challengers Bangalore who were amongst the biggest spenders in this year’s IPL 2021 Auction.
Tight odds are to be expected ahead of a new tournament with only previous form from last year’s outing as well as performance in last month’s auction. The rank outsiders at 10.0 are two-fold with Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals, two of the biggest spendings so far.
It seems bookmakers and betting tipsters alike are looking to back the old guard with previous performance the standout factor in deciding the favourites just a few weeks before IPL 2021 gets started.