Champions League: The world championship of T20 cricket
The tournament, commonly called the CLT20, can also be called the international extension of the highly successful IPL. But the four editions of the CLT20 so far have not been able to match the hype and hoopla of an IPL that is played among Indian franchises. Although the CLT20 was supposed to be held in the same year as the IPL, the tournament suffered a hiccup in the very first year. The 2008 edition fell through due to the Mumbai terror attacks.
The Champions League Twenty20 finals may be legitimately called the world championship of clubs (franchises) in the shortest format of cricket. Conceived by the cricket Boards of India, Australia and South Africa, the tournament brings the best T20 teams from across the world. Coming as it does after the cash-rich Indian Premier League, the tournament has a heavy presence of Indian teams (franchises) with as many as three sides - Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings - already in this year's main draw. A fourth, Sunrisers Hyderabad, will play the qualifiers.
The tournament, commonly called the CLT20, can also be called the international extension of the highly successful IPL. But the four editions of the CLT20 so far have not been able to match the hype and hoopla of an IPL that is played among Indian franchises. Although the CLT20 was supposed to be held in the same year as the IPL, the tournament suffered a hiccup in the very first year. The 2008 edition fell through due to the Mumbai terror attacks.
From 2009 to 2012, the Champions League T20 was held every year with India and South Africa playing hosts in alternate years. New South Wales Blues won the first final played in Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in 2009. The Aussies beat Trinidad and Tobago in the final by 41 runs. South Africa hosted the 2010 edition. Chennai Super Kings defeated South African side Warriors by eight wickets to win the tournament. The 2011 event once again saw an Indian team winning. Mumbai Indians defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore by 31 runs at the Chepauk. Sydney Sixers won the 2012 edition. In the final played at the Wanderers in Johannesburg, the Australian defeated South African team Highveld Lions by 10 wickets.
The 2013 event will see 10 teams in the main draw. Eight teams - Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai, Brisbane Heat, Trinidad and Tobago, Chennai Super Kings, Titans (South Africa), Highveld Lions (South Africa) and Perth Scorchers - will be joined by two qualifiers from among Hyderabad, Faisalabad Wolves (Pakistan), Kandurata Maroons (Sri Lanka) and Otago (from New Zealand).
Champions League is the most lucrative T20 club cricket tournament in the world and like the IPL, was designed to benefit domestic clubs. The winning team gets USD 2,500,000, while the losing finalist pockets USD 1,300,000. The losing semifinalists get - USD 500,000 each and the teams finishing fifth to 10th - USD 200,000 each.