The traditionalists will see the next 16 days as an opportunity to switch off from the game and ignore the hooplah but for Twenty20 enthusiasts the potential for the Champions League is obvious, writes Tristan Holme in cricket365.

As far as the cricket itself goes, it's anyone's game. It's not a meeting of 'only the champions' as Rahul Dravid and friends suggest in the television ads - just like the Uefa Champions League is not a genuine Champions League - but all 12 teams have real pedigree. For many players uncapped at international level this is an excellent opportunity to showcase their skills and it should be thoroughly enjoyable to see which of them can handle the added pressure of playing in front of massive partisan crowds.