The seventh edition of the Champions League Twenty20 tournament has been cancelled due to diminishing fan interest.
It was scheduled for September and October but the lack of interest means that the tournament has been terminated with “immediate effect”.
The tournament commenced six years ago in 2009 by the cricket boards of India, Australia and South Africa.
The honorary secretary at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Anurag Thakur, said: “It was a fantastic platform for players from around the world to showcase their talent and the participating teams thoroughly enjoyed the experience over the last six seasons.”
“Unfortunately, off the field, Champions League T20 wasn’t sustaining the interest of the fans as we had hoped.
“This decision was made after consultation with all our commercial partners and meeting the contractual obligations of all parties involved.”
The tournament was a round-robin and knockout competition, which included a huge prize pool of US$6 million, with the winning team receiving $2.5 million.
The competition brought the star teams, those that performed in their Twenty20 competition for that year, to qualify for the Champions League. The tournament included seven countries and a total of 10 teams that participated in the group stage.
“This is the single largest prize money pool in any cricket tournament so far,” said the tournament’s chairman Lalit Modi on the first edition of the tournament.
MJ
Guest
They'd just call it another pay day.....
Donald
Roar Rookie
It was a huge incentive for the players and their teams to win the semi finals of their domestic twenty20 competitions, not just Australia to qualify for the champions league.
CW
Guest
Not sure the players would call the CL" meaningless and irrelevant ".Nor do I. I used to enjoy watching the best state/dominion players /sloggers from their respective countries battle it out for big bikkies every October. If India can no longer bankroll the tournament for whatever reason. Then why could not someone from England, Australia or Sth Africa open their wallets instead? If a window could be found feel sure a new look CL would get a good audience if held anywhere on the Australian continent. Would be a good lead in to the Matador Cup. Also get players primed for the BBL
lester
Guest
It was a stupid tournament (Like any t20) because players switch between leagues between both the IPL and the Big Bash in the same season meaning there is no squad consistency.
Rocco75
Guest
The IPL is rubbish too, but it's domestic T20 competition like the Big Bash. Glad the T20 Champions League is gone though. Meaningless and irrelevant.
Bobbo7
Guest
Maybe they could axe the corrupt premier league while they are at it. Have no time for the IPL.
Brian
Guest
They should use the 3 week window to host the T20 World Cup every year whilst in turn banning international T20 outside that window for the top 8 teams. That would help both the minnows grow with an annual event and the longer form games with no international T20 outside the annual World Cup. Will be interesting to see what the BCCI do with the IPL. They have to quickly add 2 teams or to redo the schedule to increase games for the 6 competing teams. the IPL makes a lot of money for World Cricket. Hard to imagine it would not proceed.
Mike from Tari
Guest
This was always a loaded competition with the IPL sides having the luxury of first choice of their players who through the year played in other competitions, , the teams from other countries never had a chance, the Australian sides that won were lucky that the depth of players was there, no other countries had that, not even South Africa & I'm not sure if the Pakistan teams were invited to play, so interest around the world was not piqued.
Donald
Roar Rookie
Indian cricket in shambles. http://news.yahoo.com/next-indian-cricket-turmoil-ipl-teams-banned-092531681.html