CPL 2021: Team of the Tournament

After 33 matches and 21 days of enthralling cricketing action, the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) wrapped up with a riveting final being played between Saint Lucia Kings and the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.

All six teams fought tooth and nail to get their hands on the coveted trophy, but it was the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots who emerged victorious to clinch their maiden title.

CPL 2021 will be remembered for some swashbuckling performances, with various domestic and foreign players rising to the occasion to overturn the fate of matches. While many players have stepped up on the big stage, here's a look at the team of the tournament.

The best players in CPL 2021

Openers: Evin Lewis and Faf du Plessis

Faf du Plessis and Evin Lewis have been in outstanding form at the top of the order

Evin Lewis is certainly in the form of his life. Coming off three successful series against Pakistan, Australia and South Africa, Lewis took the CPL 2021 by storm. The 29-year-old scored 426 runs in 11 innings to become this edition's second-highest run-scorer.

The southpaw notched up three fifties and an impressive hundred against one of the most decorated sides in the tournament. He played a crucial role to take his side to the final and eventually helped them win it.

Faf du Plessis accompanied Lewis at the top of the order. The South African veteran did not play any T20 games coming into the tournament but was exceptional in taking up a leadership role along with the responsibility of opening the innings for the St Lucia Kings.

He scored 277 runs in the 9 innings that he batted at an average of 34.63. He has one fifty and a scintillating hundred next to his name, which also happens to be his first in T20s.

Middle-order: Roston Chase, Tim David, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Kieron Pollard (c)

Roston Chase was instrumental in his franchise's success in this edition. The all-rounder from Barbados batted at number 4 during the tournament and scored 446 runs in 12 innings at an average of 49.55 with four half-centuries under his belt.

Apart from turning up with the bat, he was handy with the ball in hand for his side as he picked up 10 wickets at an average of 26.30.

Roston Chase has been exceptional in both departments as an all-rounder

Tim David is yet another player from the St Lucia Kings who has been a vital cog in their success. The tall man from Singapore put up a brilliant display of his big-hitting skills as he scored 282 runs in 10 innings at an average of 35.25 including a half-century.

He played many whirlwind cameos down the order and helped the team score 15-20 runs more than expected.

Tim David struck a commanding half-century on his CPL debut

Guyana Amazon Warriors skipper Nicholas Pooran is next on the list. The swashbuckling keeper showed a glimpse of his versatility as he constantly moved up and down the order without letting the change affect his batting.

He scored 263 runs in 10 innings at an average of 32.87 and emerged as his team's highest run-scorer. He was also good with his keeping and led his side brilliantly all the way up to the semi-finals.

Pooran was one of Guyana Amazon Warriors best batsmen, having scored more than 250 runs in 10 innings

Kieron Pollard is arguably one of the best middle-order batsmen in CPL history and he does not need a second invitation to walk into the best XI of the tournament. He batted in 10 innings and scored a total of 261 runs at an average of 37.28.

He is also the captain of this side as he led the defending champions well, helping to cap off yet another podium finish in the tournament.

Kieron Pollard was in his best form and brought wrinkles on the captains head whenever he walked out to bat

Bowlers: Odean Smith, Romario Shepherd, Sunil Narine, Akeal Hosein and Ravi Rampaul.

Odean Smith has had a stellar tournament that caught everyone's attention in the Caribbean. He picked up 18 wickets in 11 innings at and an average of 14.88 and was also a handy batsman lower down the order, scoring 126 runs with the highest score of 43 runs.

He consistently clocked 140 kmph, troubling batters in the middle and death over phases of the game.

Odean Smith was one of the finds of the season as he impressed everyone with his bowling skills

Accompanying him is Romario Shepherd, another pacer who had a decent run this season. He picked up 18 wickets in nine games at an average of 14.11. Like Smith, he too troubled batsmen at will and clocked high speeds consistently.

Romario Shepherd made a case for himself going into the World T20 to be in starting XI

Sunil Narine was TKR's third-highest wicket-taker in the tournament. He bowled 40 overs in the tournament and picked up 12 wickets at an average of 14.58. He also bowled in the decisive moments of the game and held his nerve when the pressure was on him.

Sunil Narine was exceptional with the ball in hand and picked up wickets whenever called upon

Following the master closely is his apprentice, Akeal Hosein. He bowled 42 overs across 11 innings and picked up 13 wickets at an average of 15.92. He forged a good partnership with Sunil Narine and was Pollard's go-to man whenever he needed a wicket in the powerplay.

Akeal Hosein was one of the best spin bowlers in the tournament

Ravi Rampaul completes this XI as the last bowler. The Caribbean veteran bowled his heart out throughout the league and returned with 19 wickets in 10 innings at an average of 16.21.

On the back of stellar showings with the ball in hand during the league stage, Rampaul earned his call-up back to the West Indies squad that leaves for Dubai for the World T20.

Comeback man Ravi Rampaul was the highest wicket-taker of the season and also sealed a place for himself in the World Cup squad

Our 12th man is Jeavor Royal. The St Lucia Kings spinner had a good maiden tournament as he picked up 12 wickets, the most for his side. He bowled in the critical stages of the games and was one of the best uncapped players in the tournament.

Final XI of the tournament: Evin Lewis, Faf du Plessis, Roston Chase, Tim David, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Kieron Pollard (c), Odean Smith, Romario Shepherd, Sunil Narine, Akeal Hosein, Ravi Rampaul

12th man: Jeavor Royal

Who made the cut for your team of the tournament? Tell us down in the comments.