IPL betting in India given boost ahead of possible September restart

The recent proposal suggests that this year's iteration of the Indian Premier League will see a total of 60 matches played in just 44 days, a schedule that has brought criticism from a variety of quarters.

It signifies a positive move not just for cricket fans around the world, but also for betting in India to resume as normal, after recent lockdown laws brought an unexpected halt to the IPL season, originally due to get underway back in March.

Tentative steps to 2020 restart
Since then the BCCI in their discussions with governing bodies have come up short until this point in several attempts to get back on track. The original schedule was announced back in February that would have seen the season played out across March and into April.

However, a decision was made and a swift announcement by the BCCI soon followed in  mid-April that the season would be suspended until further notice. Negotiations subseuquently continued with a brief glimmer of hope coming in late May when lockdown restrictions were eased, allowing domestically based players the right to train, although foreign nationals were still barred from travelling to India.

Gulf state eagerly awaits decision
However it appears that travel regulations in India appear not to be a factor for this year's IPL 13 as the BCCI and partners are looking set to move the tournament to the United Arab Emirates, the linchpin in their bid to see this year's tournament through.

The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) initially made approaches to host the tournament back in early May, offering their services and stadiums in a bid to lure the prestigious tournament to their shores.

Although it looked initially unlikely with the BCCI setting its hopes on anchoring the tournament in India. The most recent proposal will see IPL 13 beginning on 26 September and already completed by 8 November, in record time, hinges on moving the franchise to the Gulf.

Broadcasters doubtful over tight schedule
Although arguably the one major roadblock has been the reaction of some broadcasters who have reservations about the intensity of the proposed schedule. It is thought that such a flurry of fixtures does not leave ample room for as many advertisement opportunities, and it has been suggested that midday matches may limit viewership.

Current favourites and surprise insiders
Regardless, this recent announcement marks the most positive and likely step towards seeing IPL 13 be completed and underway before the year is out.

A number of IPL betting tips are already backing the Mumbai Indians to retain their title should the tournament get underway this year. Although tough to call at the moment given present circumstances, a number of IPL odds have been published and are understandably tight.

Alongside Mumbai, 2016 winners Sunrisers Hyderabad are being tipped as the team most likely to emerge victorious alongside the favourites.

Governing bodies, advertisers and broadcasters in both India and the UAE still have to hash out the finer details before planning can get underway, with scheduling conflict concerns mounting. Regardless, this recent move marks the best shot IPL 13 has at seeing the light of day in a number of months.