Though the Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) sports minister Anil Roberts claimed that Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine would represent their country ahead of their respective IPL teams at the 2012 Champions League T20 (CLT20), the club against country debate is far from settled.
The franchises have maintainsed that they have not been contacted on this issue. In fact they are waiting for the CLT20 organising committee to release the tournament document, which contains all clauses. The document that is released every year is likely to present a clearer picture.

On Thursday, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) team director, Joy Bhattacharya, tweeted that Narine would play for KKR. “Good news from @VenkyMysore. Sunil Narine to play for KKR in the CLT20.”

The CLT20 rules state that players can pick the team they wish to play for. In 2011, Bravo had played for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Pollard represented the Mumbai Indians (MI) and Narine wore the KKR colours. Earlier, Roberts had said that an agreement had been reached with the players.

He claimed the players were close to signing an MOU following which the details of the individual contracts would be worked out.

“All three players have said they want to play for Trinidad & Tobago. The government of Trinidad & Tobago will match their fees,” explained Roberts.

“We want the best team. Some of the Indian team owners are obviously a bit upset because they would love to have Sunil Narine, Pollard and Bravo but I told them quite upfront that we are being professional, that we are not holding anything in secret.”