IPL sides in for a tough time - Jennings

Royal Challengers Bangalore coach Ray Jennings believes the IPL teams competing in the Champions League Twenty20 will have a tough time as the quality of their opposition will be different to what they faced in the Indian league.

The tournament gets underway on October 8 in Bangalore, and features three IPL teams - Deccan Chargers, Bangalore and Delhi Daredevils - and nine domestic sides from five other countries. Jennings, who had overseen Bangalore's progress to the IPL final in South Africa, said the IPL teams would find it difficult to get into their groove as they comprised of international players who didn't play together often.

"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 said.

Jennings, who will supervise a preparatory camp for the tournament in a couple of days, has tipped Cape Cobras and New South Wales (NSW) as favourites for the tournament. The Cobras team, led by South Africa captain Graeme Smith, also includes Herschelle Gibbs and JP Duminy. NSW, under captain Simon Katich, are a formidable unit including nine players with international experience.

"They are two very strong sides and are favourites to win," Jennings said. "But you never know in a Twenty20 game."