5 players who will remain indebted to the CLT20

 Kieron Pollard ecstatic after taking T&T home against NSW

Now that CLT20 has been scrapped, many of the novice players who are just getting ready to step into top level cricket would be certainly disheartened with that decision.Though CLT20 was primarily looked out at as a source of income by most of the cricket associations around the world, it was indeed a platform for all those talented young cricketers to showcase their talents at the highest level. Also, since BCCI was one of the founding member of CLT20; a good performance in CLT20 meant a sure shot IPL contract for most of the overseas players.These are some of the cricketers who were fortuitous as they took a giant leap in their careers after some incredible performances in the CLT20.

#1 Kieron Pollard

Kieron Pollard ecstatic after taking T&T home against NSW

It won’t be an exaggeration to call Kieron Pollard as the best T20 player. He bowls, he bats and he is a live wire on the field. That’s a complete package fitting perfectly in the requirements of modern day T20 cricket. Kieron had played few ODIs and T20s for West Indies but had failed to put an impression.

He came into limelight after his heroics in inaugural season of the CLT20 back in 2009. He was a part of Trinidad & Tobago, the Carribean T20 champions. In the 2nd game against Deccan Chargers Pollard played a cameo by hitting 31 from 14 balls.

T&T went on to win that game by just 3 runs. However, his career changing knock came in the 1st match during league stage against New South Wales who were one of the strongest teams in the tournament. Every team was to play only 2 matches for qualification in the knockout stage. Hence every win was important.

NSW batted first and set a target of 171 for the islanders. It was indeed an arduous task as NSW had experienced bowling attack including Australia’s ace bowler-Brett Lee. Pollard walked in when T&T were struggling at 77/4 in 12th over.

Even a thought of T&T winning that game from such situation was quixotic. But Pollard, who was unknown to many had other plans. He took the attack to the NSW bowlers. Within no time, the equation started looking better for T&T. Pollard remained unbeaten on 54 from just 18 balls as T&T sealed the game with 9 balls to spare!

He hit 14 sixes in tournament and topped the tables for most number of sixes. He was having the best strike rate in the tournament and was the 5th highest run-getter. T&T lost in the final but Pollard had won many hearts with his spectacular performances.

He was signed by the Mumbai Indians for the next season of the IPL and since then he has played a major role for them during their triumph of 2 IPL and 2 CLT20 titles. Pollard’s international career also blossomed since then. Today he plays for as many as 7 clubs all across the globe.

#2 Pat Cummins

Pat Cummins bowls for NSW

Pat Cummins was a part of the New South Wales squad for their CLT20 campaign in India during 2011. It was already a big achievement for an 18-year-old to be a part of a team playing in an international league. Cummins played in all 5 games and ended up as their most successful bowler. He was economical as well as extremely quick on the speed gun.

His good bowling performances was one of the major factors that helped NSW reach the knockouts. NSW then lost to RCB even after scoring a mammoth 203. RCB chased down the target with the loss of 4 wickets. Interestingly, it was Cummins who stood out as a lone wicket taker by dismissing all 4 batsmen. His wickets included the likes of Chris Gayle, Dilshan and Kohli. He made a point that he was no longer an amateur and was ready for international cricket.

A month later, he was handed his baggy green in 2nd Test against South Africa. He proved the selectors right by picking 6 for 79 in the 2nd innings and also grabbed the man of the match award. However, his love affair with CLT20 didn’t end here.

He was a part of Sydney Sixers side in 2012. He was consistent and economical with the ball throughout the tournament and in the semifinal he took the Sixers home by scoring crucial runs.

He was picked up the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL.

#3 Sunil Narine

Narine impressed one and all with his economic spells

Sunil Narine is not an unfamiliar name in limited overs cricket anymore. Though his bowling action has been questioned and scrutinized, he has been one of the most mysterious spinners who is difficult to read and put away in limited overs cricket.

The 2011 CLT20 was a heartbreaking tournament for Trinidad & Tobago. They lost on the last ball while defending 98 runs against Mumbai Indians and lost again when they couldn’t win a super over against NSW. One run could have made a huge difference on both occasions but eventually they couldn’t find a place in the knockouts. But Sunil Narine had an unforgettable outing. He was the 2nd highest wicket-taker and the most economical bowler.

His figures were astonishing, 2 for 10 against Mumbai Indians and 3 for 8 against CSK stood out among all. His bowling was obscure as most batsmen failed to pick him. Later that year, in December, he made a debut for the West Indies. Kolkata Knight Riders bought him in the 2012 auction and the rest is history.

#4 Pravin Tambe

Age is just a number for Pravin Tambe

If there is anyone who has been benefited most by the CLT20 then it is certainly Pravin Tambe. He is an old guy (in cricketing terms) with an young heart. He was selected in the Royals squad for the 2012 IPL season. But he was overshadowed by the likes of Johan Botha, Brad Hogg, Ankit Chavan and Ajit Chandila.

Tambe played in the 2013 edition of the IPL and impressed one and all. Hence, the Royals retained him in their CLT20 squad and he made the most of this opportunity by winning the golden ball as he was the highest wicket-taker in the tournament.

Tambe, who was 42 and had been playing for many years in Mumbai’s domestic circuit, brought all his experience to take the Royals into the final. He returned with figures of 3 for 10 against CSK and 4 for 15 against Highveld Lions. In the final against the Mumbai Indians, he still managed to deliver despite the others leaking runs.

Mumbai Indians put 202 on board, but Tambe had picked two wickets for just 19 runs in his 4 overs. His efforts were fruitful as his long-awaited dream came into reality when he was picked in Mumbai’s Ranji trophy team right after the CLT20.

#5 Kane Williamson

Williamson celebrates after hitting century

Surely Kane Williamson had made a name for himself even before his maiden appearance in CLT20 in 2014. But he was largely considered as a Test or a 50 overs player. His stats in T20 were not too great. He had just one half-century in front of his name in international cricket.

With some amazing hard hitting batsmen in New Zealand’s T20 team, he was finding it hard to cement his place. Critics had already written him off from T20 cricket. But it was a fallacy as he proved everyone wrong.

He was amongst the only 3 batsmen to score a century in the tournament. He scored 101 of just 49 balls against Cape Cobras. He scored another couple of half centuries in the qualification stage to put forward a new dimension in his batting.

He was handed his maiden IPL contract as the Sunrisers Hyderabad bought him in the auction. He had made his Test, ODI and T20 debut in the 2010-11 season, but it took him 4 more years to get into the IPL. Thanks to CLT20!

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Edited by Staff Editor