Reviving the Champions League Twenty20: A New Era for Cricket?

The cricket boards of India, England, and Australia are in talks to revive the Champions League Twenty20, according to Cricket Victoria CEO Nick Cummins. The tournament, also known as CLT20, was last played in 2014 before being scrapped due to poor viewership and lack of interest. However, Cummins believes that the time is right to bring it back, with a potential focus on the women’s game for the first edition of ‘CLT20 2.0’.

“I’m constantly talking to Nick Hockley, Cricket Australia CEO, for a Champions League, because I think it’s pretty important to bring that back. We still haven’t made out which league is the best. IPL, PSL, or the Big Bash? The only way we can show that is by having the Melbourne Stars play Karachi Kings or the Mumbai Indians,” Cummins stated.

Cummins highlighted the success of soccer’s Champions League and expressed his desire to see Indian players participate in the Big Bash. He emphasized the importance of finding a window in the cricket calendar to accommodate the tournament, given the packed schedule of bilateral series and ICC events.

While the details are still being worked out, Cummins hinted at the possibility of involving players from the Women’s T20 Challenge, The Hundred, and the Women’s Big Bash League in the revived Champions League. The potential matchups between top teams from different leagues have generated excitement among fans and players alike.

As discussions continue between the cricket boards, the prospect of seeing iconic clashes like Mumbai Indians vs. Melbourne Stars has sparked interest in the cricketing community. The revival of the Champions League Twenty20 could be a significant step in the evolution of the game, providing a platform for teams to showcase their talent on a global stage.