The league will witness four Indian Premier League franchisees -- this season's IPL winners Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI), Delhi Daredevils and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) -- vying for the coveted title.
However, the action will start with the qualifying round, which begins with the match between Sri Lanka's Uva Next and England's Yorkshire, both of whom are making their debut in the cash-rich tournament.
The encounter between Thilina Kandamby's men and Andrew Gale's unit will be followed by the clash between Auckland Aces and Sialkot Stallions, who are also laying their claim in the championship for the first time.
A total of six teams, that will be contesting to make their entry into the main tournament, have been segregated in two different pools with the top team from each group advancing to the next stage.
While Pool 1 consists of New Zealand's Auckland Aces, England's Hampshire and Pakistan's Sialkot Stallions, Pool 2 comprises of Trinidad & Tobago, Uva and Yorkshire.
The Indians though will not be seen in action before the main tournament, which kicks off on October 13, when Gautam Gambhir-led KKR take on Delhi Daredevils.
Daredevils have still to prove themselves in this championship and it will also be an opportunity for their new skipper Mahela Jayawardene to redeem himself after he lost the final of the World T20 Championship to the Caribbean side.
The 35-year-old was entrusted with the responsibility of leading the side after Virender Sehwag reportedly requested to be relieved from the burden of captaincy to concentrate on his batting. (MORE)
