India's old warhorses like Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh will be seen in action as 10 teams in two groups clash each other in the Super League stage of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament beginning here on Sunday.
The premier names to be seen in action for their respective sides include the World Cup winning quartet of Gambhir, Yuvraj, Suresh Raina and Harbhajan who have been out of reckoning for the national team for some time. Gambhir was conspicuous by his absence during Delhi's training session on Saturday at the Eden Gardens and the manager informed the media that the left-handed opener will join the team.
While Raina will be returning to Chennai Super Kings in the upcoming IPL season, Gambhir, Yuvraj and Harbhajan, who will go under the hammer in the IPL auction on January 27-28, will look to make it count in the Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Off-spinner Harbhajan, who has been released by Mumbai Indians after playing for the side since IPL's inception in 2008, will lead the challenge for Punjab in Group A which also has Karnataka, Jharkhand, Mumbai and Rajasthan.
Ten teams are divided into two groups in the Super League stage and the top two sides will play in the summit clash at Eden Gardens on October 27.
Punjab won three matches, including a two-run humdinger against table toppers Delhi, to finish second in North Zone.
The Punjab skipper, Harbhajan batted and bowled in a rigorous training session for about two hours alongside another veteran Yuvraj Singh as their intent was clear.
Four matches will be played everyday in two venues of Eden Gardens and Jadavpur University second campus at Salt Lake in a round robin format that will go on till January 25.
Punjab will face South Zone toppers Karnataka, while Jharkhand will take on Mumbai in the opening day's fixtures at Jadavpur University.