Champions League Twenty20 Semi-Final Teams

Fifth edition of Champions League Twenty20 or CL-T20 has completed its first stage and teams for the semifinals are fixed. As, I predicted in my earlier article Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians along with Trinidad & Tobago and Rajasthan Royals have made it to the semi-finals. In first round of Champions League T20 teams squad of Trinidad & Tobago and Chennai Super Kings looked most balanced. Trinidad & Tobago playing without many of their star players performed exceptionally and insured their place in semi-finals without losing a single match.

Champions League Twenty20 2013

Otago Volts were on the wrong side of luck as they missed their slot due to their low Net Run Rate in first round against the Mumbai Indians. If we evaluate the first round then all the top performers are from those teams which failed to qualify for the semi-finals like Jimmy Neesham, Dale Steyn, Henry Davids, Brednon McCullum etc.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE-Twenty20 SEMI-FINAL TEAMS

Chennai Super Kings

Undoubtedly best Twenty 20 teams in the IPL and Champions League Twenty 20 have performed according to their status. They lost only last league match to cement their place in semi-final against the Rajasthan Royals at Jaipur. Suresh Raina and Captain Dhoni looked in fine touch and they can prove match winner for them in semi-final. 

Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni playing a shot

Having the player like Michael Hussey, Dwayne Bravo, MS Dhoni and may others they are the favorite to win the semi finals to get into finals.  They have to play exceptionally good to beat Rajasthan Royals in their fortress at Jaipur where they rarely lose. 

Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians who thrashed the Perth Scorchers in the must win last league match looked well at least in last match. Mumbai Indians batting has struggled as their openers have failed to give them good start middle order also failed to support them. Mumbai Indians bowling also looked average in absence of Lasith Malinga while Mitchell Johnson struggled very badly in first round.

Mumbai Indians Skipper Rohit Sharma

But good rhythm of opener Dwayne Smith, skipper Rohit Sharma, all-rounder Kieron Pollard and pacer Nathan Coutler-Nile helped Mumbai Indians to help them qualify. Mumbai Indians will face their Trinidad & Tobago in the semi-final at Delhi. Mumbai Indians have to play like a team to beat the strong Trinidad & Tobago who are yet to lose a match in the Champions League T20.

Rajasthan Royals

Rajasthan Royals led by the cool and calm skipper performed brilliantly in the first round of the Champions League Twenty20. Rajasthan Royals were on the lucky side as they got to play all of their league matches to be played on their home ground at Jaipur. They cashed this opportunity and won all four league matches to cement their place in semi-finals which is also to be played at Jaipur.

Brad Hodge Star for Rajasthan Royal in champions League Twenty20

Rajasthan Royals got support from all key players to win matches and they didn’t look too dependent on a single player. They found a new match winner in every match they played in the first round. As they are going to face their opponent their Fortress so they are favorite to get into the finals.  

Trinidad & Tobago

Only team from Trinidad & Tobago have played very good cricket and made into the semi-finals without losing a single game. This team has a right blend of fast bowlers and spin bowlers which helped them to play good cricket and insure their place in semifinals. Dinesh Ramdin has led this team and insured that the absence of star players didn’t hurt the chances of their team in the Championship.

Trinidad & Tobago in Champions League Twenty20 2013

Lendl Simmons, Darren Bravo, E Lewis and mystery spinner Sunil Narnie all have played very important role for Trinidad and Tobago to get into semi-final. They will face Mumbai Indians in the semi-finals which is a equally strong team so they have to play like did against Chennai Super Kings.

SEMI-FINAL SCHEDULE CL-T20

 

Date	Match	Venue
04-10-13	RR v/s CSK	Jaipur
05-10-13	T&T v/s MI	Delhi

In the first semi-final Rajasthan Royals will take on Trinidad & Tobago at Jaipur. While in the second semi-final two of the strongest IPL teams Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings will face each other at Delhi.

Champions League-T20 Final Prediction

 

Looking at the current form and the playing conditions Rajasthan Royals have upper hand over the Chennai Super Kings as Rajasthan is going to play at their fortress Sawai Maan Singh Stadium, Jaipur. In second semi-finals Mumbai Indians have played more games at Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium at Delhi so they definitely have upper edge over their opponent in the semifinals.

Date	Teams	Venue
06-10-13	RR v/s MI	Delhi

 

What is your prediction for Champions League Twenty20 finals ? Who is going to face whom in the CL-T20 finals ? Drop your views and response in the comment box.