Royal Challengers Bangalore’s destroyer-in-chief, Chris Gayle, is backing Trinidad and Tobago to succeed in the Nokia CLT20 should they get past the qualifiers.

They have been playing good T20 cricket for the last couple of years and can win if they qualify for the main draw, Gayle was quoted in Trinidad and Tobago’s Newsday. The team have the experience of playing in the Champions League and know what it is like. Definitely I am confident that they will do well and qualify.

It is unfortunate that they have to play in the qualifier. They have been dominant in the Caribbean, added Gayle.

Trinidad and Tobago stunned one and all during the inaugural CLT20 in 2009 by romping their way to the final. Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo, their stars back then, have opted to play for their IPL franchises. Despite that, Gayle believes the team still has enough firepower to go all the way.

Yes, they definitely can compete. You saw it in the regional tournament. Bravo and Pollard did not take part and they actually won it without the two big names, he said. Most of the guys have been there in India and that is good for the team. There is no reason why they cannot do well and win.

Gayle, who was the top scorer in IPL 2011 with 608 runs at an average of 67.55 and a strike rate of 183.13, hopes to continue in the same vein as he makes his Nokia CLT20 debut.

It was a massive IPL and I took a lot of positives from it, but the Champions League is a different scenario. We will be playing against different teams and in different situations. So I am excited to be a part of it. I want to do well just like any other player and I am looking forward to it. Fingers crossed, Gayle said.