Rampaul: See you in the final
PORT OF SPAIN – Trinidad and Tobago fast bowler Ravi Rampaul has predicted that his side will reach the final of the Twenty20 Champions League, which started yesterday in India.
Rampaul said the Red Force was well-rounded and the players were ready for the challenge and a return to the final. Trinidad and Tobago finished runners-up in the inaugural tournament in 2009.
“Definitely, we have a good team,” Rampaul told reporters. “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.”
“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 medium pacer wants to use the 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.
“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 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.”
Rampaul said that despite the Red Force playing a couple of practice matches in Guyana and two as well against the Windward Islands in Dominica, he had not been extending himself physically and has focused more on therapy work as he gets his body back to 100 per cent.
The Trinidad and Tobago team left yesterday for India and will play their opening fixture against the Brisbane Heat on Sunday. Also in their group are the Chennai Super Kings, Titans, and a team who will join them from the qualifying stage. (CMC)