CLT20 2013: The top 5 batsmen of the tournament

This Champions League T20 has been special for more than one reason. Firstly, it was the last season for two great legends and master batsmen – Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. The fact that both these players made it to the finals is a true measure of their greatness and a fitting sendoff.

Secondly, with 3 IPL teams in the top 4, it exhibits the sheer dominance of Indian cricket and promises some really talented local talent coming up.

However, alongside this, there were some really special players with memorable performances in the tournament with the bat who mesmerized the crowd and influenced their team successful run in a huge way. We look at the top 5 batsmen in CL 2013.

5. Sanju Samson

New kid on the block, 19-year-old rising wicket keeper batsman, Sanju Samson was surely the find of the tournament. With an impressive 192 runs from 6 games at an average of nearly 40, he surely managed to grab a few eyeballs in the Indian cricketing fraternity with his bold and clean hitting.

Also to his credit are 3 half centuries in the tournament including a blistering 60 off 33 balls in the finals against Mumbai India which almost threatened to take the game away from them.

4. Evin Lewis

The underdogs of the tournament, Trinidad and Tobago made it to the semifinals and even though they boast of some quality internationals in their ranks like Denesh Ramdin and Ravi Rampaul, it was little known left handed Evin Lewis who was the most instrumental in their success.

With 211 runs in 5 games at an average of 42, his two half centuries, he was particularly impressive against the faster bowlers who were sent to the cleaners more often than not by him. With a healthy strike rate of 142, he surely made a huge impact on the tournament with his clean powerful striking of the ball.

3. Suresh Raina

M.S Dhoni’s men may have been knocked out in the semi-finals, something which is new for them, but one person who again stood out for the Kings as he always does is Suresh Raina. Raina scored 221 runs in 5 games at an average of 45. His strike rate for the tournament was a stomping 145 displaying amazing consistency and speed all the way.

He single-handedly destroyed fellow IPL team Sunrisers Hyderabad with a magnificent 84 in the group stage and was the most impressive player of the team in their semifinal run.

2. Dwayne Smith

Title winners of CLT20 Mumbai Indians can thank the burly West Indian for the blistering starts he has provided them all throughout the tournament. He played just 5 games but scored a hefty 223 runs at an average of 56 which included two half centuries.

The best part however, was the strike rate which is a mammoth 143 at the top of the order. He made excellent use of the power plays in all his innings which helped set a platform for the rest of the batting to build upon.

1. Ajinkya Rahane

The selectors may not find him good enough for a spot in the national side but the Rajasthan Royals opener is leaving no stone unturned to prove his mettle. With 288 runs in 6 games at an average of nearly 58, Rahane has shown why he is regarded so highly in T20 cricket.

With 4 half centuries in 6 games, his consistency has been top class and he has firmly held the Royals top order together which helped them sail into the finals. In the finals too with an impressive half century and a 100 run partnership with Samson, he almost took the Royals home before the team lost the way to hand over the crown.