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The 2024 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) concluded with the St. Lucia Kings being crowned champions after a tense low-scoring contest against the ever-consistent Guyana Amazon Warriors. Led by Faf du Plessis, they were patient and exploded towards the end to chase down the target in the penultimate over.
After recently hosting the 2024 T20 World Cup, the Caribbean islands were treated to yet another memorable tournament in quick succession. The CPL witnessed some incredible moments across all departments, with controversy also making its mark from time to time.
All in all, the tournament proved to be an affair with some of the players being a class apart from the rest. With the CPL not being as glamorous and attractive as some of the other franchise leagues, it allowed several local players to shine through as well. On that note, let us take a look at the best playing 11 of CPL 2024.
Top Order: Faf du Plessis (C), Johnson Charles and Shai Hope
The South African duo of Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock had memorable campaigns for the St. Lucia Kings and the Barbados Royals, respectively.
Du Plessis had a solid MLC campaign for the Texas Super Kings, and translated the same form while leading the champions. The opening batter ended with 405 runs in 12 innings at an average of 36.81 and a strike rate of 145.16, including four fifties.
Du Plessis' opening partner at the St. Lucia Kings, Johnson Charles, also had a brilliant campaign. His chemistry with the skipper played a huge role in the franchise claiming their first title. The explosive right-handed batter slammed 452 runs in 12 innings at an average of 41.09 and a strike rate reading 153.22. He scored four fifies in the campaign, which includes a player of the match display in the Qualifier 1 clash against Guyana.
Shai Hope's revival in the shortest format has been a sight to behold, with the CPL 2024 helping his case. He scored 391 runs in 13 innings at an average of 30.07 and a strike rate of 135.29.
Middle Order: Nicholas Pooran, David Miller, Shimron Hetmyer and Romario Shepherd
Nicholas Pooran has already staked his claim as one of the best T20 batters alongside the likes of Suryakumar Yadav and Heinrich Klaasen. He is proving to be an asset by managing to maintain aggression and consistency at the same time. The left-handed batter ended the season as the leading run-scorer with 504 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 169.69, which included a brilliant ton against Guyana.
The left-handed duo of David Miller and Shimron Hetmyer also had impactful campaigns playing in the lower-middle order. The strike rates of 162.42 and 185.25, respectively, speak volumes.
Hetmyer played a memorable knock of 91 runs off 39 deliveries against the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots, which included 11 sixes, but not a single four.
Miller, on the other hand, scored a 17-ball 50 in the rain-curtailed Eliminator clash against the Trinbago Knight Riders.
Lower Order: Maheesh Theekshana, Noor Ahmad, Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Springer
Spin played a huge role throughout the tournament, which primarily sported sluggish pitches. As a result, it is no surprise that the top four wicket-takers of the tournament are spinners.
Noor Ahmad was crowned Player of the Tournament for his 22 wickets, which came at an average of 13.22 and an economy of 6.19. The duo of Maheesh THeekshana and Gudakesh Motie finished with near-identical numbers, claiming 17 wickets apiece.
Alzarri Joseph has considerably improved as a short-format bowler in recent times. He was the leading wicket-taker among seamers in the tournament with 16 wickets in 12 appearances at an economy rate of 8.25.
Shamar Springer was one of the surprise packages in the tournament. He was arguably one of the best players for the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in a forgettable campaign. He picked up 12 wickets in nine matches at an average of just 18.
