Champions League T20 to make a comeback? Massive update comes about CLT20

Champions League T20 is all set to be back as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Cricket Australia (CA), and England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) are in talks to reintroduce the league. Cricket Victoria CEO Nick Cummins confirmed the development.

The Champions League arguably was one of the best leagues to be played around the world. The tournament saw top franchises from all the big leagues in IPL, BBL, and others taking part in the league. The tournament saw six seasons getting played before it was discontinued in 2015.

The inaugural edition of the league was played in 2009 and four seasons took place in India while two were slated in South Africa. IPL heavyweights in Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians won the tournament twice whereas New South Wales and Sydney Sixers also emerged winners as well.

Nick Cummins talked about the possibility of the league being played again. He while revealing about the conversations between big Cricket boards stressed that to find a window will be challenging. But they will kick start the tournament with the women’s edition. Speaking to the media, he explained:

“I think the (earlier edition of) Champions League was ahead of its time. The T20 landscape wasn’t mature enough at that point. I think it is now. I know that there are active conversations between Cricket Australia (CA), ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) and the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) about (reviving) the Champions League.”

“It’s just trying to find a window as to when you actually play that, because you’ve also got all the ICC tournaments as well. It may be (the case) that the first iteration of the Champions League will be of the women… (it may involve cricketers playing in the) the WL, the Hundred and the WBBL.”

Nick Cummins further revealed that Cricket Australia is open for the Champions League but they are working with BCCI on finding a window in the FTP. He added:

“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. There are talks about it. It’s probably a question to ask Jay Shah (BCCI secretary).

But certainly, from an Australian cricket perspective, we are very open to the idea of the Champions League. It’s just about finding a window in the FTP, but I think that’s the next step in the evolution of cricket.”

Champions League will prove which franchise is the best in the World – Nick Cummins

Nick Cummins further stated that the idea of the Champions League will determine which is the best league in the world in IPL, PSL, or the Big Bash. He expressed his desire to see Indian players in BBL and while talking about the same, he stated:

“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 the Karachi Kings or the Mumbai Indians. Our great aspiration is to have the Indian players play in the Big Bash.

“(The) Champions League is well overdue. Look at what the Champions League does for football, the World Cup is fantastic and the Champions League is there (too) every time. The idea of the Mumbai Indians playing the Melbourne Stars at the MCG would be just as exciting as India playing Australia at the MCG.”

It remains to be seen how the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Cricket Australia (CA), and England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) will work to find a window for the Champions League with a packed cricket schedule around.