Gayle backs T&T for Champions League success

Chris Gayle may be playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2011 Champions League Twenty20, but he thinks West Indies Twenty20 champions Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) have the potential to win the tournament if they get through the qualifying stage. T&T take on Sri Lanka's champions Ruhuna on Monday, with three out of the six teams in the qualifier going through to the main draw.

"They have been playing good T20 cricket for the last couple of years and can win if they qualify for the main draw," Gayle told Trinidad & Tobago's Newsday. "It is unfortunate that they have to play in the qualifier. They have been dominant in the Caribbean.

"The team have the experience [playing in the Champions League] and know what it is like. Definitely I am confident that they will do well and qualify."

T&T will be without two of their biggest stars - allrounders Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard - who did not take part in the West Indies domestic tournament and have chosen to play for the Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians respectively in the Champions League. But Gayle believes there is enough talent in the T&T squad and the pair will not be missed.

"Yes, they definitely can [compete]. I mean you saw it in the regional tournament. Bravo and Pollard did not take part and they actually won it without the two big names."

T&T were the surprise package of the first Champions League, reaching the final before losing to New South Wales, and Gayle said the team would benefit from that experience. "Most of the guys have been there in India and that is good for the team. There is no reason why they cannot do well and win."

Gayle, who is making his Champions Leage debut, said he was looking forward to the tournament and hoped that he could make the same kind of impact as he did in the IPL 2011, where he finished as the top scorer with 608 runs at an average of 67.55 and a strike-rate of 183.13.

"It was a massive IPL, "Gayle said. "I took a lot of positives [from it], but the Champions League is a different scenario. There will be different teams we will be playing against and different situations. It is going to be a big good contest amongst the bowlers from the different teams. So I am excited to be a part of it. I want to do well there, just like any other player, and I am looking forward to it, fingers crossed hopefully."