Champions League Twenty20 2014: Game for the throne

After a semi-final exit, something which most CSK fans would like to forget in express fashion, during the IPL, MS Dhoni will lead the Super Kings looking to add another Champions League trophy to the packed CSK trophy cabinet. The skipper hailed the return of West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, saying that he brought much-needed balance and variety to the side.

Kings XI Punjab

The runners-up in IPL-7, KXIP have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to picking their playing XI. South African pacer Beuran Hendricks, is the only absentee. Having broken the commentary box window in Zimbabwe while batting, Mitchell Johnson will be keen to transfer that momentum when he aims for the opponents’ stumps as he readies to spearhead his side’s attack.

Cape Cobras

The Cobras come packed to the seams with international players, past and present. The squad has 11 current and former Proteas with some serious names like Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Robin Peterson and Vernon Philander among others. However, it is the return of Charl Langeveldt from retirement which has spiced up proceedings for the Cobras. The South African domestic T20 runners-up picked Langeveldt out of retirement to beef up their bowling attack after Dale Steyn and Beuran Hendricks were unable to make the trip to India.

Dolphins

The South African Ram Slam T20 champions seem perhaps the most unglamorous side in this edition with their lack of international superstars. Captained by Morne van Wyk, a one-time wicket-keeper for the Proteas, the franchise is coached by none other than Lance ‘Zulu’ Klusener. The 43-year-old Klusener was perhaps unlucky that he called time on his blistering career before the T20 boom. However, with a T20 strike-rate of 136.10, the Dolphins can always pull a Cobras on their opponents and plonk Zulu in the middle.

Barbados Tridents

With T20 destroyers Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Smith opting to play for their respective IPL franchises, the Tridents do not come into the CLT20 with the strongest of squads. Another surprise is their choice of captain, Rayad Emrit, a 33-year-old medium-pacer who played a couple of ODIs for West Indies in 2007. Though the Tridents have the experienced Ravi Rampaul along with a current national skipper in the form of Zimbabwe’s Elton Chigumbura, the Tridents have preferred the relatively modest Emrit to don the armband.

Hobart Hurricanes

George Bailey, the regular captain of the Big Bash runners-up will be kitting up for KXIP, with Tim Paine, once Australia’s brightest successor to Adam Gilchrist skippering the side. The Hurricanes will be depending on Ben Dunk, who set the Big Bash alight last year with 395 runs in just 10 matches. Shoaib Malik, the Pakistan all-rounder is in ominous touch too, having helped Barbados Tridents to the Caribbean Premier League title and just last week smacking a hapless bowler from Hong Kong for five consecutive sixes in a warm-up game for the Hurricanes. The Tasmanian side have a fast-bowling attack to be reckoned with, both Ben Hilfenhaus and Doug Bollinger, stars for CSK in their IPL winning seasons, travelling with the team to India.

Perth Scorchers

Another franchise which will be playing without their regular captain. Scorchers’ captain Simon Katich has retired since their 2014 Big Bash triumph with Adam Voges the skipper now. Scorchers have within their ranks Yasir Arafat, a true T20 mercenary. The 32 year-old has played for 11 teams spread over England, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand, Bangladesh and South Africa. Arafat has also represented Scotland. Scorchers will also have the oldest player in the tournament turning out for them in the form of Brad Hogg, who at 43 is still tying batsmen in knots with his slow left arm chinaman.

Kolkata Knight Riders

The two-time IPL champions have never won the CLT20 but look like putting up a strong challenge with their current squad. KKR will be missing Shakib Al Hasan, who has not been granted an NOC by the Bangladesh Cricket Board. Robin Uthappa, who scored 660 runs in 16 IPL 2014 games will be looking to assert himself once again. India’s opening combination is not settled and with the World Cup just six months away, another whirlwind tournament and Uthappa might find himself on the plane bound for Australia-New Zealand.