27 June,2016 09:10 PM IST | | mid-day online correspondent
Troubled businessman Vijay Mallya believes that with AB deVilliers and Kieron Pollard in the side, the Barbados Tridents are serious contenders for the Caribbean Premier League crown
With the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) only two days away, Vijay Mallya, the troubled businessman who bought the Barbados Tridents franchise, talks about his team, the T20 league, the playrs to watch out for and more...
Talking about his team's plans for the upcoming CPL season, Mallya said, "On the field we intend to win by playing good cricket. Our squad features several world class players who can change any game. Working together as a unit is important for our team's success."
ALSO READ: Vijay Mallya claims he bought Brabados team in CPL for a mere $100
The Indian businessman believes that in T20 cricket, any player can be a match winner on his day. However, he said the Barbados franchise would be hard to beat sine it has the "likes of AB de Villiers, Shoaib Malik, Kieron Pollard."
Vijay Mallya is the 2nd Indian after Shah Rukh Khan to buy a CPL franchise
The ex-chairman of United Spirits Ltd, who had claimed that he along with other shareholders had bought the Barbados Tridents for USD 100, is most excited to Shah Rukh Khan owned franchise's Brendon McCullum during the CPL 2016. "I'm looking forward to seeing what Brendon McCullum of the Trinbago Knight Riders can do in Caribbean conditions. He is another exciting world-class player who, on his day, can take the game over with the bat and in the field," the 60-year-old said.
Mallya is enthused by the CPL since as he believes the spirit of the fans, the atmosphere, the Caribbean culture will fuse with high-paced action-packed cricket. He also told cplt20.com that home fans of his franchise will get to witness an unparalleled experience never seen before in the Caribbean. "They'll have a chance to see their team in new kit and enjoy an improved stadium experience which will draw on their passion for the game. On the field, our team is focused on winning," he said.
Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan too has invested in a CPL franchise, which has been renamed as Trinbago Knight Riders, on the lines of his IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders.
BARBADOS TRIDENTS SQUAD: Kieron Pollard (captain), AB de Villiers, Shoaib Malik, Nicholas Pooran, Jason Holder, Ravi Rampaul, David Wiese, Robin Peterson, Raymon Reifer, Ashley Nurse, Wayne Parnell, Akeal Hosein, Imran Khan, Kyle Hope, Navin Stewart, Kyle Corbin, Steven Taylor, Shamar Springer
Coach: Robin Singh, Assistant Coach: Vasbert Drakes
