In a shocking development that could disappoint millions of cricket fans worldwide, the governing council of the Champions League Twenty20 (CLT20) has formally declared that the tournament to be discounted with immediate effect. The CLT20 2015 contest was about to begin from September 20 this year, but the same has now been called off.
The era of Champions League Twenty20 is over
The announcement is a major blow for the fans who love watching twenty-twenty contests on their television sets and at stadiums. Interestingly, the announcement comes just a day after two of the popular domestic T20 teams, Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), were banned from participating in any tournament for the next 2 years as per the judgement delivered by the Supreme Court appointed Justice Lodha Committee.
It was difficult to arrive at any conclusion previously, because other stake holders in the form of franchisees from South Africa’s Ram Slam T20, Australia’s Big Bash League and also IPL teams were involved; but eventually the decision was taken unanimously by the representatives of BCCI, CA and CSA without much trouble. The last edition of the tournament was played in 2014 in India. But, from now onwards there will be no CLT20 championship anymore.
The top 10 Champions League T20 records that will remain unbroken forever
- The 6 editions of the tournament have already been held. The first and last edition of CLT20 was inaugurated in 2009 and 2014in India respectively.
- Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have won the tournament twice. New South Wales (NSW) and Sidney Sixers (SS) clinched the trophy once each.
- India hosted this premiere T20 contest four times while South Africa organized the championship twice.
- Suresh Raina (842) is the leading scorer of the tournament. He played 24 matches to achieve the feat.
- David Warner scored the highest individual score of 135* inclusive of all editions of the tournament.
- David Warner is the leading century maker of the CLT20. He reached the 3-digit magical figure twice in the contest.
- Kieron Pollard (49) hit maximum 6s in the contest.
- Suresh Raina, Michael Hussey and Henry Davies hit maximum half centuries – 5 each in this contest.
- Sunil Naraine is the highest wicket-taker of the tournament with 35 wickets in 18 matches that he played.
- MS Dhoni got the highest dismissal record of 21 (12 catches + 9 stumps) as a wicketkeeper in CLT20.
The actual reason for the discontinuance of Champions League T20 is the continuous dip in interest of Cricket fans and enthusiasts regarding this tournament over the last few years. This twenty-twenty championship was expected to be as successful as the Indian Premiere League, when it was initiated in 2009 for the first time, but CLT20 couldn’t match with the popularity and fans’ support that IPL has been enjoying for the last 8-years in a row.
Tags: BCCI, CA, Champions League T20, Champions League Twenty20, Chennai Super Kings, CLT20, CLT20 2015, CSA, Rajasthan Royals, T20, Twenty20
