T&T stars to stay with IPL clubs for CLT20

Runners-up of the inaugural edition, Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) will have to make do without their star names once again as they prepare for the Champions League (CL) T20, which begins in October in South Africa. The country vs club debate has always dominated headlines with regards to T&T's participation in the annual marquee T20 event, with a number of their players plying their trade elsewhere too, in the leagues around the world.

There were reports this time around, however, that the likes of Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo and Sunil Narine were considering representing their country in the CL. But according to team manager Omar Khan this looks unlikely, with the IPL franchises set to be given first preference by the players.

"We have come to accept [the absence of Pollard, Bravo and Narine], At the end of the day in international cricket, players are now being contracted by various teams. At the end of the day there will be times we have to play the best available team," Khan was reported in the Trinidad Express to have said. chance for youngsters

Khan added that the vacancies left by the big names will provide opportunities for the younger players to make their mark, just like Narine, the man of the tournament in IPL V earlier this year, did during the previous CL. "Last year we went to the Champions League without Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard, and Sunil Narine got an opportunity, and he made the most of his opportunity. So this year, there may be another player who may make a name for himself," he said.

T&T will now be captained by West Indies wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin and will also include international cricketers like Darren Bravo and Lendl Simmons.

The Trinidadians are also set to face Barbados, Afghanistan and Bangladesh in a quadrangular T20 competition as preparation for the Champions League. Narine will play for KKR, Pollard for MI and Bravo for CSK.

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