The Champions League T20 2014 kicks off on Saturday with the qualifiers, as two more teams look to jump into the main draw in the hunt for the big prize in T20 franchise cricket.
Get the main draw schedule HERE
The Kolkata Knight Riders, Kings XI Punjab, Chennai Super Kings (all from the IPL), Dolphins, Cape Cobras (both from South Africa), Perth Scorchers, Hobart Hurricanes (from Australia's Big Bash) and Barbados Tridents have already qualified for the main draw.
Now, the Mumbai Indians, Lahore Lions, Northern Knights and Southern Express will fight it out against each other to earn their place with the big boys, with two of the four teams going through.
The Mumbai Indians will be the obvious favourites to qualify, considering the ridiculous talent they have in their squad. Even without skipper Rohit Sharma, who has been ruled out of the tournament through injury, MI will be heavily favoured to finish top of the qualifying group.
Of course, it won't make too much of a difference if the Mumbai Indians qualify first or second, because they will be placed in Group B alongside KXIP, Hobart, Cobras and Barbados, owing to the fact that there already are two IPL teams – CSK and KKR – in Group A.
The Mumbai Indians will be led by Kieron Pollard, who could also have played for the Barbados Tridents, but chose MI, in the CLT20 2014, and the West Indian will look to make it two straight Champions League titles for MI.
"It is very unfortunate that Rohit will be unable to lead the team, and I take this opportunity to wish him a fast comeback," said Pollard after being appointed captain for the CLT20 2014. "I truly understand that it is a huge honour and a privilege to captain the vibrant Mumbai Indians side, and thank the team management for bestowing their faith in me.
"I am aware of the great expectations ahead of us. However, I am confident that together, we will face the challenges, and work towards retaining the glory and the stature of the Mumbai Indians team."
The defending champions will begin their campaign against Pakistan's Lahore Lions, and a win to start things off on Saturday will do them well as they look to clinch their third CLT20 title overall.
The first match of the tournament will be between New Zealand's Northern Knights and Sri Lanka's Southern Express, with all the qualifiers scheduled to take place in Raipur.
CLT20 2014 Qualifiers Schedule: Saturday, 13 September: Qualifier 1: Northern Knights vs Southern Express (4:00 pm IST, 11:30 am BST, 6.30 am ET) at Chhattisgarh International Cricket Stadium, Raipur.
Saturday, 13 September: Qualifier 2: Mumbai Indians vs Lahore Lions (8:00 pm IST, 3:30 pm BST, 10.30 am ET) at Chhattisgarh International Cricket Stadium, Raipur.
Sunday, 14 September: Qualifier 3: Northern Knights vs Lahore Lions (4:00 pm IST, 11:30 am BST, 6.30 am ET) at Chhattisgarh International Cricket Stadium, Raipur.
Sunday, 14 September: Qualifier 4: Mumbai Indians vs Southern Express (8:00 pm IST, 3:30 pm BST, 10.30 am ET) at Chhattisgarh International Cricket Stadium, Raipur.
Tuesday, 16 September: Qualifier 5: Southern Express vs Lahore Lions (4:00 pm IST, 11:30 am BST, 6.30 am ET) at Chhattisgarh International Cricket Stadium, Raipur.
Tuesday, 16 September: Qualifier 6: Mumbai Indians vs Northern Knights (8:00 pm IST, 3:30 pm BST, 10.30 am ET) at Chhattisgarh International Cricket Stadium, Raipur.
