PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Trinidad and Tobago’s fast bowler Ravi Rampaul is making a bold prediction that his side will reach the final of the 2013 Twenty20 Champions League, starting in India tomorrow.
Rampaul said the ‘Red Force’ is well rounded and the players are ready for the challenge and a return to the final. Trinidad & Tobago finished runner up in the inaugural tournament in 2009.
“Definitely, we have a good team. Most of the guys played in India already and (trump card) Sunil Narine, is basically seasoned there so we have a good team and hopefully we could go all the way this year,” Rampaul told reporters.
“From all the games we’ve played together, the team is gelling so we should do well, we should reach the final.”
The 28 year-old right-arm medium pacer wants to use this tournament to further launch his T20 career and earn playing contracts.
“Anytime you play, it’s always an opportunity in India, to have someone look at you and to perform and get contracts all over,” said Rampaul who played in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the first time this year while representing the Kolkata Knight Riders. For the whole team, it’s an opportunity to make something of yourself. Sunil Narine started his career in the Champions League so hopefully we can have good performances and more players from T&T in the IPL,” he said.
Commenting on his own form and fitness, the injury-prone fast bowler believes he is back to his best and is raring to get back into competitive action after he missed the entire inaugural Caribbean Premier League with an injury.
“I’m feeling much better and happy to be back. Thank God for getting me back out on to the field and credit must go to my trainer Ronald Rogers and physio Oba Gulston for all the work they’ve been doing and helping me. I’m really excited and can’t wait for Champions League,” he said.
Rampaul noted that despite the Red Force playing a couple of practice matches in Guyana and two as well against the Windward Islands in Dominica, he has not been extending himself physically and has focused more on therapy work as he gets his body back to 100 per cent for the Champions League campaign. Trinidad & Tobago team leaves on Monday for India and will play their opening fixture against the Brisbane Heat on September 22. Also in their group are the Chennai Super Kings, Titans and a team from the qualifying stage.
