Top 5 batsmen of ICC Champions Trophy 2013

As we approach the final of the ICC Champions Trophy (to be contested between India and England), let’s take a look back at a competitive event that saw some excellent individual performances.

The conditions in England were very sporting as both bowlers and willow wielders got an opportunity to exhibit their skills. The two new balls at each end combined with the initial moisture available in the surface, which made conditions suitable for the fast bowlers.

The spinners were also involved throughout the tournament, as bounce and turn was always available. This made the task a little more difficult for the batsmen but they enjoyed true surfaces, as even though the bounce was sharper, it was consistent. Good batsmen never detest the ball coming on to the bat.

The tournament saw some individual performances that went a long way into the competition in terms of the contribution it made to the team. These will be added to a long list of memorable innings that the short history of the Champion’s trophy has seen.

Sachin Tendulkar‘s massive innings of 141 against Australia at Dhaka in 1998, Chris Cairns’ unbeaten 102 in the final of the 2000 edition are two that instantly come to mind.

Here is a list of the top five batsmen who put the competition to light this year by contributing some quality innings to the success of their side:

Rohit Sharma of India bats during the ICC Champions Trophy match between India and Pakiatan at Edgbaston on June 15, 2013 in Birmingham, England. (Getty Images)

5. Rohit Sharma – 168 runs @ Avg. 42.00

The elegant right-handed batsman has been struggling with form for a long time but has retained the confidence of captain MS Dhoni. Asked to open the batting along with Shikhar Dhawan after Murali Vijay’s failures in the warm-up games, he has helped India to some decent starts in the competition.

Sharma scored two half centuries in the first two matches contributing to successive hundred run partnerships with Dhawan. He continued to contribute in the next two matches but without making it big. It will do his reputation a world of good if he can finish the competition strongly with a huge score against England.

Mahela Jayawardena of Sri Lanka hits out during the ICC Champions Trophy Group A fixture between Sri Lanka and Australia at The Kia Oval on June 17, 2013 in London, England. (Getty Images)

4. Mahela Jayawardene – 168 runs @ Avg. 56.00

The former Sri Lankan captain came into this competition on a bad run of form but he performed his role as the experienced campaigner of the side. Jayawardene played a critical innings in support of Kumar Sangakkara against England and followed it up with a match-winning innings against Australia in their crucial group game.

He thus made a significant contribution to the progress of Sri Lanka to the semi-finals. He was finally contained by the Indian bowling attack putting a premature end to his run of form.

Jonathan Trott of England cuts the ball away during the 2nd Natwest Series ODI at the Ageas Bowl on June 2, 2013 in Southampton, England. (Getty Images)

3. Jonathan Trott – 209 runs @ Avg. 69.66

Trott has been the most consistent batsman in the English top-order, even though England’s progress in the competition has been due to a thorough team performance. He played a solid innings against Sri Lanka, helping England build a massive total of 293 but his most important contribution came against the Proteas in the semi-finals on a pitch that had some demons.

The English had utilised the conditions very well to restrict South Africa to a low total but the chase could have been tricky without the dependability of Trott. An average of just below 70 does justice to the contribution he has made for England.

Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka hits out during the ICC Champions Trophy Group A match between England and Sri Lanka at The Kia Oval on June 13, 2013 in London, England. (Getty Images)

2. Kumar Sangakkara – -222 runs @ Avg. 74.00

The left-handed batsman described his innings of 134 against England as one of the best in his long and successful career. The Lankans were staring down the barrel with the possibility of elimination and chasing a massive total. He played a match-winning innings in that situation by being there till the very end. He paced the innings beautifully as wickets were fell at regular intervals.

He did manage to weave partnerships with Dilshan, Jayawardene and eventually Nuwan Kulasekara. He was able to accelerate when it was required and that’s the hallmark of a great innings. It will go down as a Champions Trophy classic.

Shikhar Dhawan of India celebrates scoring his century during the ICC Champions Trophy Group B match between India and West Indies at The Oval on June 11, 2013 in London, England. (Getty Images)

1. Shikhar Dhawan – 332 runs @ Avg. 110.66

Another left-hander on the list. The Indian batsman is newbie on the international stage but has settled in with ease. His century against Australia on Test debut was only an indication of his ability but he has fully flowered in the relatively alien conditions of England.

He scored two successive hundreds in the group stage propelling the Indian team to the semi-finals single-handedly. His lowest score in the four innings he has played in this tournament is 48 and that is an indication of his consistency.

He will be the biggest contender for the man of the tournament prize if he can make a significant contribution in the final.