The success of Indian Premier League (IPL) in India was doused off by unscrupulous scandals, allegations and corruptions ultimately leading to the sacking of its chairman and commissioner, Mr Lalit Modi. In the Indian sports arena, cricket is worshipped, played and enjoyed throughout the country, in other words, it is very integral to the people. In fact, cricket is one of the most expensive outdoor sports in the Indian sub-continent owing to fact that tens and thousands of money are invested in cricket betting or popularly known as ‘spot-fixing.’ In a mark of the true-spirit of sportsmanship and the love of the game, South Africa is the proud to be the host-nation of the World’s Champion League Twenty 20 commencing from September 10-26, 2010.
Airtel’s Champions League Twenty 20, 2010 in South Africa is a world championship open to club teams from India, Australia, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and West Indies. It will feature 10 home teams from these nations and the tournament will consists of 23 matches in all. All the matches will be divided into two groups and each group will exceed the next. Interestingly, the history of CL T20 dates back to 2008 after the success of the first Indian Premier League (IPL) in India. It was then officially launched by international cricket governing bodies. The Twenty20 Champions League is chaired by Shashank Manohar who is also the Chairman and Commissioner of IPL. Unfortunately, due to the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai the first CL T20 Games was cancelled until 2009. The second edition of the CLT20 after much speculations and security-clearances was successfully held in India in 2009. Since then, the opening first three matches of the CL T20, 2010 in South Africa have gathered huge viewership turnouts and responses. The ongoing CL T20 is participated the three IPL fierce some teams— Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Amid criticisms and expectations, the three IPL teams are geared up to keep the hopes high of fans throughout the length and the breadth of the nation.
The host nation was represented by two home club teams—The Warriors and the Highveld Lions—although the teams have not had significant international recognition yet. First day of the tournament began at Wanderers Stadium Johannesburg with IPL team Mumbai Indians taking on the home team-Highveld Lions. The stadium was undulated with waves of fans cheering for their home team and some for Mumbai Indians-led by Master-Blaster Sachin Tendulkar. For all cricket lovers, the T20 tournaments have drawn huge fans and supporters compared to the traditional game format.
