Use the IPL delay to brush up on key stats

It's best to keep your wits sharp and your ears to the ground because IPL 13 could be just around the corner

IPL 13 should have been moving ahead in roaring fashion by now, but as with other sporting competitions with global appeal. However proceedings have ground to a halt with little certainty as to when or even if this year's edition can get started.

Originally due to commence on 29 March, the BCCI, the IPL's governing body, to postpone the competition pending further news on India's lockdown status currently. Just last week it emerged a number of media outlets were reporting that the UAE has been in talks to host the tournament in an attempt to get proceedings moving as fast as possible.

Given the IPL's popularity it comes as no shock that alternative hosts are a distinct possibility. The BCCI, the IPL's governing body is expected to suffer losses well into the millions of pounds if the competition fails to go ahead this year.

It shows that with such global popularity, and at a financial push, the IPL could be set to go ahead in the coming weeks. With European sporting bodies in the football world pushing for a restart to their seasons it could see the BCCI push for a commencement of the IPL season sooner than expected.

It makes it a perfect time for cricket lovers to brush up on their general knowledge, as we unveil the need to know stats as well as where to find IPL betting tips ahead of the IPL 13.

IPL 12's Batting Leaders

It comes as no surprise that big hitter and West Indies batsman André Russell topped two of last year's batting tables. The Jamaican led both stats tables for most sixes with 52, sailing ahead of Chris Gale who came second, when turning out for Kolkata Knight Riders last time round. To top it off, Russell registered a scorching 204.81 as top strike rate for the league, some way ahead of other contenders, including teammate Sunil Narine.

Last season's Bowling Leaders

Mumbai Indians lead the leaderboards when it comes to bowling stats last season with Anukul Roy claiming both best bowling average as well as best economy. His Indians teammate Alzarri Joseph topped the stats for best bowling figures.

Bihar native Anukul Roy shot to fame after being named in India's 2018 Under-19 Cricket World Squad and took joint-highest wicket taker in the tournament.

Anukul in some respects still plays second fiddle to senior left-arm spinner Krunal Pandya, but is a mercurial talent and definitely one to watch when this season's IPL gets underway.

Honourable mentions from last season have to go to Delhi Capitals Jagadeesha Suchith and Kagiso Rabada who claimed second and fourth spots in the table for best bowling averages for their side.

2019's biggest wicket takers

Super Kings Imran Tahir took the most wickets last time round, just edging Delhi Capitals Kagiso Rabada by a solitary wicket. Tahir is joined by teammates Deepak Char and Harbhajan Singh in the top ten wicket takers for last season, making Chennai one of the most dangerous prospects this time round.

Who are the bookies backing?

The experts were quick to settle on their opening favourites this spring. Unsurprisingly they set to back both of the finalists from last year as heavy favourites to take this season's title. Current champions Mumbai Indians are first on the list, with Chennai Super Kings, who hold the honour of most final appearances are also among the top ranked sides.

In a shock move, champions from 2016, Sunrisers Hyderabad are being backed as second favourites by many to take the tournament by storm this time round.

It follows Sunrisers captain David Warner to proudly proclaiming that the Hyderabad side have the best death bowling in all of the IPL. With Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rashid Khan lining up, it comes as no surprise that they have a lot to shout about going forward into IPL 13.

Indian players can find a full list of betting sites that are currently on the Indian market, while avid fans from elsewhere can also find their pick of online bookmakers ahead of a highly anticipated start to this season's edition of the world's favourite cricket tournament.

At any rate it's best to keep your wits sharp and your ears to the ground because IPL 13 could be just around the corner.