By IANS,
New Delhi : Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Rajasthan Royals will open their Twenty20 Champions League campaign against South Africa’s Dolphins on the opening day at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, Dec 3, it was announced at the Twenty20 Champions Awards Thursday night.
Chennai Super Kings, who finished runners-up in the IPL, will take on Australia’s Bush Rangers in their first match Dec 4.
Champions League chairman Lalit Modi said that the question mark over the postponed Champions Trophy and the series between Indian and England didn’t leave much room for the tournament, forcing the organisers to host the eight-team tournament in just eight days.
“There wasn’t much room left for us to host the Champions League due to the cramped Futures Tour Programme of the International Cricket Council. But the second edition will be held for 16 days,” said Modi.
The inaugural edition will held in three Indian cities – Mumbai. Chennai, Bangalore. The final will be played in Mumbai.
Groups:
Group A: Chennai Super Kings, Victoria Bushrangers, Titans and Middlesex Crusaders
Group B: Sialkot Stallions, Rajasthan Royals, Rambal Warriors, Dolphins
Fixture:
Dec 3: Victoria Buhrangers vs. Middlesex Crusaders (Mumbai); Rajasthan Royals vs. Dolphins (Bangalore)
Dec 4: Sialkot Stallions vs. Rambal Warriors (Bangalore); Chennai Super Kings vs. Victoria Bushrangers (Mumbai)
Dec 5: Titans vs. Middlsex Crusaders (Chennaii); Sialkot Stallions vs Rajasthan Royals (Mumbai)
Dec 6: Rambal Warriors vs Dolphins (Bangalore); Victoria Buhrangers vs Titans, Chennai Super Kings vs Middlsex Crusaders (both in Chennai)
Dec 7: Sialkot Stallions vs. Dolphins, Rajasthan Royals vs. Rambal Warriors (both in Bangalore); Chennai Super Kings vs. Titans (Chennai)
Dec 8: 1st semi-final (Bangalore)
Dec 9: 2nd semi-final (Chennai)
Dec 10: Final (Mumbai)