2. JJ Smuts (South Africa Champions)

South African opener JJ Smuts was instrumental in his team's journey to the ultimate silverware. He scored 186 runs in five innings at a staggering strike rate of 151.21, including two half-centuries, with a top score of 85. Though not always consistent, his contributions came at crucial junctures of the elite T20 tournament, especially his partnership with Morne van Wyk in the semi-final against Australia Champions, which played a key role in taking AB de Villiers-led side to the summit clash against Pakistan Champions.