England's batsman Dimitri Mascarenhas spoke to espnstar.com in an exclusive chat on the upcoming Airtel CL T20.

By Sudeer Mahavaadi

Q: Welcome back to India Mascarenhas - Champions leaugue, a new concept and seems pretty interesting?

Ans: Yes we are all pretty eagerly waiting. It is absolutely brilliant. We have seen this in soccer in England. First of its kind in India. This would be more interesting than the IPL, because the 20-20 teams of the world are fighting for the title. It is always challenging to perform on Indian wickets. Personally, I have always enjoyed playing here. Part of the Rajastan Royals team was of massive help for me. Hope it attracts big crowds and everything will go smooth.

Q: Your team's chances?

Ans: Our first work is to clear the first round hurdle. It is difficult to say how the weather conditions will favour and wickets behave. Hope there will be some help for the slow bowlers. Most of our team members are in fatastic touch. Few guys in our team played here too before and have enough experience of how the wickets play. But it is certainly going to be tough. Once we pass through the first round hurdle, we can have a good chance of winning. Remember we are playing IPL runners-up Royal Challengers in our second encounter and that too in Bangalore. Most of the guys enjoy home advantage. But we are pretty optimistic of beating them.

Q: How would it be if this is conducted in different countries in the future?

Ans: I really don't know. It is not a bad idea too. The young ones will really get benefitted in a big way. It will certainly help them devlop their game in different conditions and pitches. Let us first get through this and hope this would be a great success.

Q: But again many believe too much 20-20 is a spoilsport?

Ans: I dont think so. People all around the world love this fomat and I reckon all the players too love it. It has got its own flavour.

Q: You hold lots of records in the shorter version - first man to take hat-trick and hitting most runs in a an over. Can you share something?

A: Well it is a tough question. Hitting sixers is big part of twenty twenty. Isnt it? But I enjoy when I do this. It is nice to have had some special moments.

Q: England reached the semis in the Champions Trophy, but missed a golden chance?

Ans: I think it was massive for them to get to the semis considering their 6-1 loss against Australia. They played some very good cricket. We did not expect to beat tough teams Sri Lanka and South Africa. I think it was a big achievment, although we lost a pretty good chance to enter final.

Stay updated with all the on-field and off-field action from the world of cricket

Q: Tell us why does it happen most of the time with that you replace someone in the England team like it happened recently and still do not find a place in the playing XI?

Ans: Well, it does not worry me much. I understand sometimes the selectors find it tough whom to select and captains find it tough too decide whom to play. They always look for a balance. This could be a good stepping stone for me to try and get back into the England side. Obviously, to perform infront of big Indian crowds boosts your confidence.

Q: How can you be a regular part of the England team?

Ans: You have just got to take the things how they go. I think I have to score runs and take wickets regularly. We have got the 20-20 World Cup coming up in April in West Indies. I always keep my fingers crossed and hopefully I will be a part of England team.

Click here to buy CLT20 tickets

Q: To be part of 2011 World Cup team must be alluring you?

A; Yes, that is my plan. You never never know. If I put up some fine show in this tourney, hopefully I can be a regular part of England team.

Q: What do you think went wrong with the Rajasthan Royals in South Africa?

Ans:  The conditions made batting difficult. It was hard to adapt. There was continuous swing and our batting didnot click at crucial junctures, although the bowlers did a good job.

Q: Born in England and you played a good amount of cricket in Australia. Did you ever think of playing for Australia like Symonds?

Ans: No. I never thought of that although I enjoyed my stint there. Once I came back, I got stuck in England at home and I was immensely happy to settle there. I have played county cricket for ten years now and of course I am enjoying my stint with Otago and Rajastan Royals in 20-20.

Have you selected your Super Selector team?