Twenty20 overkill continues with the Champions League

KARACHI: The Champions League Twenty20 2010 kicks-off today in Johannesburg with Indian maestro Sachin Tendulkar’s Mumbai Indians taking on the Highveld Lions, led by Alviro Petersen.

Mumbai, runner-up in the last edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), will face the losing finalist of the South African domestic Twenty20 competition. With 10 teams participating in the 16-day Twenty20 extravaganza, here is a guide to all the contenders for the trophy.

Mumbai Indians

Tendulkar, the mastermind behind his team’s impressive run in the IPL, is the player to watch out for in the tournament. Brimming with experience, Mumbai stand a strong chance of doing well, with the likes of Dwayne Bravo, Harbhajan Singh and Kieron Pollard besides Tendulkar.

Highveld Lions

Petersen cannot boast of having big names in the team but just like in the ProT20, their performance depends on the youngsters. In Neil McKenzie, the Lions have a big-hitter with the home crowd and conditions favouring them as well.

Guyana

The only team to represent the Caribbean has Ramnaresh Sarwan as the captain of a side short on international experience. But with the Caribbean T20 trophy under its belt and some exciting players like Jonathan Foo and Lennox Cush in the squad, Guyana are not here to make up the numbers.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

One of three teams to travel from India, Anil Kumble’s Bangalore is one of the most formidable ones on paper. Jacques Kallis, Rahul Dravid, Ross Taylor and Cameron White make up one of the most impressive batting orders and backed up by Kumble and Dale Steyn, there is no reason for Bangalore to falter after their third place in the IPL.

Warriors

The winners of the ProT20 competition, the team comprises South African stars Ashwell Prince, wicket-keeper Mark Boucher, Nicky Boje and Makhaya Ntini to go with their home advantage.

Wayamba Elevens

Sri Lanka’s only representative in the tournament and the winner of three successive domestic T20 titles, Wayamba depend on Mahela Jayawardene’s expertise to lead the way.

Chennai Super Kings

The winners of the IPL 2010, Chennai have nothing lacking in their line-up. With Muttiah Muralitharan, Michael Hussey, Mathew Hayden and the captain MS Dhoni, the team has nothing to complain about.

Australian domestic competition winners Victorian Bushrangers and runner-up South Australia Redbacks will vie for top honours as well while New Zealand’s Central Stags make up for the last team in the Champions League.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 10^th, 2010.