Johannesburg, September 24: Royal Challengers Bangalore coach Ray Jennings has claimed that the Indian Premier League (IPL) teams will struggle against the other participating sides in the Champions League Twenty20 which begins next month.
Reigning champions Deccan Chargers, Royal Challengers and Delhi Daredevils will compete against teams from Australia, South Africa and England in the 12-team event.
It was Jennings under whose guidance Royal Challengers finished runner-up this year but the South African believes that it would be a more difficult task for the IPL franchise to compete in the Champions League.
The tournament, which starts on October 8 in Bangalore, features Australia’s New South Wales Blues and Victoria Bushrangers, South Africa’s Cape Cobras and Diamond Eagles and England’s Somerset Sabres and Sussex Sharks.
”The sides that you play in Champions League are a lot better than IPL sides,” Jennings said.
”The team plays together right through the year so they have a culture in place.
”But with IPL sides, there are players from around the world and that will be a problem.
”Hopefully, we start well and get the momentum going, which is very important,” he added.
The 54-year-old Jennings, who will oversee a preparatory camp beginning in a couple of days, picked NSW and Cape Cobras as favourites to win.
”They are two very strong sides and are favourites to win. But you never know in a Twenty20 game,” Jennings said.
—Agencies