New Delhi: Middlesex Crusaders of England will take on Victoria Bushrangers of Australia in the opening match of the Champions League Twenty20 to be held in India in December.

On the same day, Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Rajasthan Royals will cross swords against South Africa’s Dolphins, according to the fixtures released here.

Bengal skipper Laxmi Ratan Shukla was the lone Indian to be named as an award winner in the inaugural T20 Champions awards that was also announced on Thursday. The Kolkata Knight Riders allrounder won the award for best bowling strike rate in an innings.

Brendon McCullum received the award for highest individual score for his superb 158 in the inaugural IPL match against Bangalore Royal Challengers.

Teams

Group A: Chennai Super Kings (India), Victoria Bushrangers (Australia), Titans (South Africa), Middlesex Crusaders (England). Group B: Sialkot Stallions (Pakistan), Rajasthan Royals (India), WA Warriors (Australia), Dolphins (South Africa).

Schedule

Dec. 3: Victoria Bushrangers vs Middlesex Crusaders (Mumbai); Rajasthan Royals vs Dolphins (Bangalore). Dec. 4: Sialkot Stallions vs WA Warriors (Bangalore); Chennai Super Kings vs Victoria Bushrangers (Mumbai). Dec. 5: Titans vs Middlesex Crusaders (Chennai); Sialkot Stallions vs Rajasthan Royals (Mumbai). Dec. 6: WA Warriors vs Dolphins (Bangalore); Victoria Bushrangers vs Titans (Chennai); Chennai Super Kings vs Middlesex Crusaders (Chennai). Dec. 7: Sialkot Stallions vs Dolphins (Bangalore); Rajasthan Royals vs WA Warriors (Bangalore); Chennai Super Kings vs Titans (Chennai). Dec. 8: First semi-final (Bangalore). Dec. 9: Second semi-final (Chennai). Dec. 10: Final (Chennai)

T20 Champions awards

Highest individual score: Brendon McCullum (Kolkata Knight Riders); Best batting average: Shaun Marsh (Kings XI Punjab); Best batting strike rate: Graham Napier (Essex Eagles); Best bowling figure in a match: Sohail Tanvir (Rajasthan Royals); Best economy rate: Yusuf Abdullah (Nashua Dolphins); Best bowling strike rate: Charl Langeveldt (Nashua Cobras); Best bowling strike rate in an innings: Laxmi Ratan Shukla (Kolkata Knight Riders); Best batting strike rate in an innings: Tyron Henderson (Middlesex Crusadors).