Christo Buchner

Johannesburg – The biggest cricket circus on earth starts again on Friday.

For the next six weeks all the attention will be on the very popular Indian Premier League (IPL).

For former Proteas coach Ray Jennings, who is at the helm of the Bangalore Royal Challengers, it is a great opportunity to experience the energy of cricket in India.

“It was terrific to be able to experience the IPL in our country, but as far as the atmosphere of the tournament is concerned, there is nothing that can touch the tournament in India,” he said.

The outspoken coach said that the tournament could improve.

“There has to be a specific time-frame on the international calendar during which the IPL can be played. It has to be a priority,” he said.

Jennings starts the tournament without international stars such as Kevin Pietersen, Ross Taylor and Steve Smith.

Pietersen is still playing for England against Bangladesh, while Taylor and Smith are involved in the one-day series between New Zealand and Australia.

Jennings again has the biggest South African presence in the tournament, with Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher, Dale Steyn, Roelof van der Merwe and Dillon du Preez competing with international stars such as Taylor, Pietersen, Smith, Englishman Eoin Morgan and Australian Cameron White in the team.

The champions, the Deccan Chargers, who start the tournament against the Kolkata Knight Riders, have Herschelle Gibbs in their team.

Charl Langeveldt will hope that the Knight Riders’ new coach, Dav Whatmore, will use him more often than was the case last year.

South Africans in action:

Bangalore Royal Challengers: Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher, Dale Steyn, Roelof van der Merwe and Dillon du Preez.

Chennai Super Kings: Makhaya Ntini, Albie Morkel and Justin Kemp.

Delhi Daredevils: Wayne Parnell and AB de Villiers.

Kings XI Punjab: Yusuf Abdulla.

Mumbai Indians: JP Duminy, Ryan McLaren.

Kolkata Knight Riders: Charl Langeveldt

Deccan Chargers: Herschelle Gibbs

Rajasthan Royals: Morné Morkel, Graeme Smith and Johann Botha.

The final is on 25 April, with the opening game and final set to be played in Mumbai.