The cricketing world is abuzz with excitement as the Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Arun Dhumal has hinted at the potential revival of the Champions League T20 (CLT20), a tournament that last took place in 2014.
In a recent interview with ESPNcricinfo, Dhumal suggested that the global T20 competition, which featured top domestic teams from various countries, could make a comeback if the right conditions are met.
The CLT20, which ran from 2009 to 2014, brought together top T20 teams from India, Australia, England, South Africa, Pakistan and the West Indies. It was a platform for global T20 stars like Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, David Warner to compete, with IPL teams like Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) clinching two titles each during its run.
However, the tournament was discontinued due to scheduling conflicts and lack of sustained commercial success.
While stating that the CLT20 was ahead of its time, Dhumal emphasised that its revival would depend on finding a suitable window in the packed cricket calendar and ensuring the tournament adds value to the sport.
"It was done before the opportune time for that kind of event [the Champions Trophy T20] I would not say no to anything but everything depends on whether we have an availability of time … If it creates value for cricket at a global stage, definitely we can look at that," Dhumal said as quoted to ESPNcricinfo.
How Feasible is Relaunch of Champions League T20?
Dhumal’s remarks come at a time when T20 cricket is experiencing unprecedented global growth, with leagues like the IPL, Big Bash League (BBL), SA20 and the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) drawing massive audiences.
The rise in T20’s popularity has fueled speculation about the CLT20’s return with fans buzzing about potential matchups between IPL giants like Mumbai Indians and teams from other leagues.
However, the proliferation of T20 leagues and international commitments, such as ICC events and bilateral series, poses a significant challenge. Additionally, the tournament’s success would depend on its ability to deliver commercial value and enhance cricket’s global appeal.
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