The Champions League T20 has returned to India albeit sans the buzz of curiosity that accompanied the inaugural edition of the tournament here in 2009. How the public — that has been fed on a more-than-generous diet of cricket in the last six months — receives the event will be interesting to see.
The players themselves will look at the competition through different prisms. While the prize money — the winner receives $2,500,000 — offers sufficient allure, the thrill of combat against top-class sides and an opportunity to make an instant impact in a global amphitheatre will provide greater spark.
Ahead of their first game on Saturday, Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians would want to ensure that there is no let-up in intensity.
Chennai achieved an unprecedented double last year, winning the IPL and the Champions League. An encore is well within grasp as CSK is assured of the presence of marquee players who fit into the team's dynamics.
Coach Stephen Fleming said he was “excited” at the prospect of such a unique feat.
By playing all its matches at home (where it stayed unbeaten during this year's IPL), the M.S. Dhoni-led side has given itself the best possible chance of achieving that.
The usual suspects, Suresh Raina, Michael Hussey, Dhoni, S. Badrinath, Albie Morkel, Doug Bollinger and R. Ashwin form the ensemble of a well-rounded cast.
Fleming suggested that left-arm spinner Shadab Jakati would play alongside Ashwin. Sri Lankan paceman Nuwan Kulasekara has been announced as the injured Tim Southee's replacement.
With most bases covered, Chennai won't tinker too much with its line-up.
Grappling with fortunes much starker in contrast is Mumbai which is beset with injuries to six players, including Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, and Munaf Patel.
The decision to allow Mumbai field five foreign players, however, would have brought some solace to the team management.
As a consequence, the side's fortunes will hinge heavily on the likes of powerhouses such as Keiron Pollard, Lasith Malinga, Andrew Symonds and Davy Jacobs.
Harbhajan Singh, named captain in place of Tendulkar, would be better-served bowling in the PowerPlay, thereby putting the skids on a dangerous Hussey.
The unpredictability of the format means new heroes and unlikely saviours may find themselves in the spotlight.
For Mumbai, it will be an opportunity to showcase the depth of its reserve strength rather than bask in the reflected glory of past performances.
Evenly-matched sides
A low profile but equally absorbing contest is on the offing as New South Wales clashes with Cape Cobras here on Satuday.
Both teams possess a rich mix of youth and experience and are hungry for major-league success.
The Australian side's fortunes will rely heavily on the opening combine of Shane Watson and David Warner besides skipper Simon Katich. Watson, who's set to make his maiden appearance for NSW in Twenty20s, will also be required to send down his deceptive seamers.
The spin domain is likely to be manned by Steve O' Keefe and Steven Smith.
The Cobras, on the other hand, have an incisive pace attack helmed by Dale Steyn and Chaarl Langeveldt.
The duel between Steyn and the NSW openers may decide which way the momentum oscillates.
The batting ballast is provided by Herschelle Gibbs, J.P. Duminy, and Owais Shah — each of whom brings a different approach to run-accumulation.
