The CPL 2015 XI: Dazzling stars of Caribbean Premiere League

The CPL 2015 XI: Dazzling stars of Caribbean Premiere League: The Caribbean islands are epitomized as a paradise for producing some of the most mind-wobbling and prodigal T20 stars in the world of cricket. The Caribbean Premiere League (CPL) features local players like Chris Gayle, Sunil Narine, Keiron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Dwayne Smith, Marlon Samuels, Samuel Badree, Darren Sammy along with International giants which makes it a cracker- jack and edge of the seat thriller. The carnival of CPL 2015 which started on 20th June concluded yesterday with Dwayne Bravo’s Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel captivating their maiden title glory in CPL. On the eve of this occasion, we make the CPL 2015 XI: 1. Chris Gayle (Jamaica Tallawahs): Chris Gayle. (Photo Source: CPL) The demolishing West-Indies opener, Chris Gayle is the most destructive and belligerent player in T20 cricket. With over 8,000 runs and 16 centuries at an average of 44 in T20s, the Calypso King has carved his name in almost all the T20 leagues around the world. Gayle powered Tallawahs to the semi-final of CPL 2015 as he hammered 430 runs in 10 matches at an average 61.42 and strike rate of 160 with one ton and three half-centuries. Chris Gayle was the lone centurion in the CPL 2015 as well. 2. Andre Fletcher (St Lucia Zouks): Andre Fletcher. (Photo Source: CPL T20) The dashing opener of St.Lucia Zouks had enjoyed a purple patch in the CPL 2015 as Fletcher ended the tournament as the second highest run-getter. Fletcher possesses a solid technique upfront along with wide array of strokes. Although, Andre Fletcher was arrested for carrying ammunition just before the beginning of the league but he didn’t let it affect his game. The duo of Fletcher and Pietersen was the backbone of Zouks line-up. Overall, Fletcher smashed 369 runs in 10 matches at an average of 36.90 and a strike-rate of 129. 3. Kevin Pietersen (St Lucia Zouks): Kevin Pietersen. (Photo Source: Caribbean Premier League) The Maverick English batsman, Kevin Pietersen is one of the most mind-boggling players of the world. Although, KP was shown the exit door by ECB due to trust issues but yet he is one of the most sought after players in T20 cricket. Pietersen enjoyed a good run in CPL as he pounded 295 runs in 10 innings. The former English Captain plundered two half-centuries and his average and strike-rate was 32 and 137 respectively in the tournament. With his aggression and innovation, KP is a perfect candidate for the 3rd position in the CPL 2015 XI. 4. Marlon Samuels (St Kitts and Nevis Patriots): Marlon Samuels. (Photo Source: Caribbean Premier League) One of the most talented players in the country, the West-Indian middle-order batsman Marlon Samuels is the spine of the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots team. Samuels was the third highest run-getter in the CPL 2015. Marlon scored as many as 325 runs in 10 matches at a healthy average of 40 and strike rate of 130 with four half-centuries against his name. The 34-year old was the player of the match when West-Indies won the World T20 in 2012. He is a perfect foil for the no.4 slot in the line-up with his ability to stay on the crease and accelerate the innings on his will. 5. Brad Hodge (Guyana Amazon Warriors): Brad Hodge. (Photo Source: Caribbean Premier League) The 40-year old Brad Hodge is one of the most successful players in T20 cricket. Hodge generally plays the role of a finisher in T20s with his vast experience in the game of cricket as well as this format. In T20 cricket, Brad Hodge holds a tally in excess of 6,500 runs at an average of 37. In this tournament, Hodge amassed 298 runs in 10 matches at an average of 42 and at a staggering strike-rate of 141 with two half-centuries. Hodge can bind the innings together and can get into the dancing shoes as well as and when required. 6. Kieron Pollard (Barbados Tridents): Kieron Pollard. (Photo Source: Caribbean Premier League) The swashbuckling right-hand batsman, Kieron Pollard is a champion T20 cricketer. Pollard led his team to the finals of the CPL this year, but couldn’t take his team past the finishing line as Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel was crowned the champions of CPL 2015. This year was one of his best in the CPL as he excelled both with the bat and ball in hand. In 10 innings, Pollard compiled 303 runs at an average 37.87 and strike rate of 142.25 with two fifties. He also grabbed 14 scalps in 11 matches and was the fourth highest wicket-taker in the league. 7. Kamran Akmal (Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel): Kamran Akmal. (Photo Source: Caribbean Premier League) The flamboyant Pakistani wicket-keeper batsman, Kamran Akmal saved his best when it mattered everything in the business end of the tournament. Although, Akmal made 188 runs in 10 innings but he was the cog-wheel behind T&T rise to the CPL 2015 glory. Kamran Akmal won back-to-back player of the match awards in the semi-final and final match of the league respectively. In Semi-final match, Akmal played an excellent knock of 49 runs in a tricky chase of 109 runs. While in the final match against Barbados Tridents, Kamran Akmal top scored in the match with a scintillating knock of 60 runs. 8. Dwayne Bravo (Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel) -(C): Dwayne Bravo. (Photo Source: Caribbean Premier League) The skipper of T&T side was the star of the tournament. Bravo contributed in every department of the game along with donning the Captain’s hat in the team. Bravo took as many as 28 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 11 and miser economy of 7.34 considering the fact he bowls in the slog-overs. Bravo was the leading wicket-taker in CPL while with the bat he accumulated 173 runs in 10 innings which includes the 15 ball 29 run cameo in the final. It is notable that, Dwayne Bravo was the highest wicket-taker in the recently concluded Indian Premiere League (IPL) as well. Bravo was also declared the player of the tournament in CPL this year. 9. Krishmar Santokie (Jamaica Tallawahs): Krishmar Santokie. (Photo Source: Caribbean Premier League) The left-arm medium pace bowler Krishmar Santokie is one of the few bowlers in the world with round-arm actions. Although, Santokie doesn’t have the pace but the wibbly-wobbly bowler is an expert of variations with which he deceives the batsmen. Santokie has been one of the most successful T20 bowlers in West Indies domestic cricket. The 30 year-old was the second highest wicket-taker in this CPL. Santokie picked up 16 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 19.75 per wicket. He was the premiere bowler of Jamaica Tallawahs this year even after the team had international players like Jerome Taylor, Andre Russell and Nikita Miller in the side which is a testimony of his top-notch skills. 10. Sunil Narine (Guyana Amazon Warriors): Sunil Narine. (Photo Source: Caribbean Premier League) The mystery spinner from Trinidad Sunil Narine belongs to a category of rare breed of spinners whom the batsmen finds extremely difficult to play and when it comes to T20 cricket, then his majesty in the trade reaches another level. Just before the World Cup 2015, Narine was found flexing his elbows more than allowed because of which he had to remodel his action. Although, Narine doesn’t seem that threatening like he once used to be but still he tasted success in this CPL. Sunil took 14 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 13.78 and economy of 4.94 which is phenomenal. 11. Devendra Bishoo (Guyana Amazon Warriors): Devendra Bishoo. (Photo Source: Caribbean Premier League) The lad who recently replicated the Shane Warne’s ball of the century against Australia has been in good rhythm of-late. Bishoo has been able to transform his form and success with the red cherry in hand to the white ball when he donned the Warriors jersey in the CPL. The duo of Narine and Bishoo was one of the most difficult propositions for any opponent in the league. Devendra Bishoo picked up 12 wickets in 7 matches at an average of 11 and a miserly economy of around 5. As Bishoo is a leg-spinner, he would gave his team the much-needed bowling variety.