The Champions League T20 was launched after extensive research and was the outcome of some innovative thinking. However, things didn’t go as planned for the BCCI, as CLT20 turned out to be a commercial disaster. The league hardly found any spectators or TV viewership. Often the grounds would resemble a deserted and an isolated look as the games between domestic T20 sides found very few fans.
The BCCI was rumored to be searching for an apt solution for CLT20. Star TV, the official broadcasters of the league terminated their contract as they bore heavy losses. Facing an uphill task, the BCCI was in search for some viable options which could be profitable and which could generate great interest among the viewers.
The IPL Governing Council (GC) will soon meet to discuss the likely replacements for the Champions League T20. As per sources within the GC, the following three options could be considered as replacements for CLT20.
1. MINI IPL:
As the name suggests, this will be an IPL full of the best sides. The top 4 sides from this edition of the IPL will compete in this league. Each side will play against the other sides once, and based on the points, there will be a final game played. As a result, in all 7 games including the final will be played. This means that the Mini IPL could be dealt with within a week flat.
2. BABY IPL:
The format of the Baby IPL is same as the format of the Champions Trophy. In this scenario, all the 8 IPL sides will take part. But, the IPL teams will be split in two groups of four each. The top two sides from each group will proceed to play the semi finals and then the final. In all, there will be 15 games in this scenario.
3. SERIES AGAINST WEST INDIES:
This case will not include any T20 franchises. In late 2014, the West Indians had pulled out from their tour of India midway due to tussles with the West Indies Cricket Board. This cost the BCCI quite a lot commercially and the relations between the two boards soured. The West Indies now are eager to compensate, and we might soon witness an India West Indies series as an alternative to the CLT20.