Nick Cummins, the CEO of Cricket Victoria, has disclosed that discussions are actively ongoing among the cricket boards of India, Australia, and England to resurrect the esteemed Champions League T20 tournament (CLT20). This club-based competition, last held in 2014 and clinched by the Chennai Super Kings, may soon grace the cricketing calendar once again.
In his remarks made during a partnership announcement between Melbourne Cricket Academy and KheloMore, Cummins highlighted the pioneering nature of the earlier editions of the Champions League, suggesting they were ahead of their time. He noted that the T20 landscape has significantly evolved since then, making it ripe for the revival of such a prestigious tournament.
However, the primary hurdle lies in finding a suitable window amidst the bustling cricketing calendar, crowded with various ICC tournaments and domestic leagues. Cummins hinted at the possibility of staging a women's T20 Champions League before its male counterpart, involving players from leagues such as the Women's Premier League, The Hundred, and the Women's Big Bash League.
Reflecting on the potential impact of a resurrected Champions League, Cummins likened it to football's UEFA Champions League, emphasizing its role in elevating cricket onto the global stage. He stressed the importance of inter-league competition to settle the perennial debate over the supremacy of different T20 leagues.
Cummins envisioned thrilling matchups between renowned franchises, transcending borders and igniting the passion of cricket fans worldwide. For him, the prospect of witnessing clashes like Mumbai Indians versus Melbourne Stars at the iconic MCG is as exhilarating as witnessing international fixtures.
As cricket enthusiasts eagerly await further developments, the resurrection of the Champions League T20 stands poised to reignite the fervor and excitement associated with club-based cricket tournaments, offering a platform for teams to showcase their prowess on a global scale.
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