Even after five seasons, Champions League T20 is yet to catch the imagination of cricket lovers. Unlike the Indian Premier League, this competition comprising 12 qualifiers from different countries remains an annual feature the game can do without.
With defending champion Mumbai Indians making a premature exit, the already scant spectator-interest will diminish further. The marquee team looked jaded in the qualifying stage and lost two matches rather tamely.
Now it is left to Kolkata Knight Riders, debutant Kings XI Punjab and former champion Chennai Super Kings to keep alive the interest of the die-hard home fans.
The IPL finalist Kings XI opens its campaign against Australia’s Big Bash League runner-up Hobart Hurricanes on Thursday at the PCA Stadium here.
Kings XI hopes to again ride on its batting strength. Even though Shaun Marsh is unavailable due to injury, the presence of Virender Sehwag, Glenn Maxwell, David Miller and skipper George Bailey gives Kings’ batting a formidable look.
However, the bowling appears a big worry. The absence of pacemen Mitchell Johnson (rib injury) and Sandeep Sharma (side strain) has left Kings XI’s with limited bowling resources. Whether Johnson joins the Kings’ campaign later depends on his recovery.
“To miss the skills of Mitchell and Sandeep is a bit for concern for us,” admitted coach Sanjay Bangar and added, “Thisara (Perera) is a very, very dangerous player. We are glad that we are in a position to utilise his potential to the fullest.”
Bailey, who stepped down as Australia’s T20 captain earlier this month to concentrate on his preparations for next year’s World Cup at home, knows all about Hurricanes since he led the side to its first Big Bash League final in February.
Wicketkeeper-captain Tim Paine will look to a few players with IPL experience — Ben Hilfenhaus, Doug Bollinger and Shoaib Malik. After a few practice games in Colombo, Hurricanes is trying to make an impression on the big stage in the coming days.
The batting rests on the shoulders of Ben Dunk, Paine, Jonathan Wells, Malik, Travis Birt and Even Gulbis. Left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty and leg-spinner Cameron Boyce add to the bowling options.
Over all, the combat between two debutants in the competition offers a batting feast unless a couple of bowlers change the script.
