The Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2021 concluded recently and once again, the Jaffna Kings laid their hands on the trophy. The tournament saw many players showcasing their skills with the bat and bowl or both. The tournament featured a number of exceptional talents and it is safe to say that the domestic circuit of the Island nation seems to be on the right track.
So today, we will have a look at the top 5 performers of the Lankan Premier League.
Kusal Mendis (Galle Gladiators)
The #LPL2021 showcased some of the best batting displays. Here are the top run scorers. @KusalMendis13 @Avishka28 @PhilSalt1 #TomKohlerCadmore @chandi_17 @OfficialSLC #එක්වජයගමු #ஒன்றாகவென்றிடுவோம் #EkwaJayagamu #Cricket #WinTogether #LankaPremierLeague #TheFutureisHere pic.twitter.com/fjcnBqrry0
— LPL - Lanka Premier League (@LPLT20) December 23, 2021
Mendis was the highest run-scorer of the tournament. He scored 327 runs in 10 matches, with an average of 36.33. He was extremely unfortunate to have gotten run out in the final of the tournament, something that will trouble him for a few weeks.
The Galle Gladiators player was exceptional in the tournament and played an immense role in helping Gladiators reach the final. If he stayed unbeaten, do you think he would've taken his side through the line?
Matches | Runs | Avg | SR | 100s/50s |
10 | 327 | 36.33 | 148.63 | 0/2 |
Samit Patel (Galle Gladiators)
Here are the #LPL2021's highest wicket takers. @Samitpatel21 #MaheeshTheekshana @jayden_seales @ImranTahirSA @SeekkugeP @OfficialSLC #LPL2021 #එක්වජයගමු #ஒன்றாகவென்றிடுவோம் #EkwaJayagamu #Cricket #WinTogether #SriLanka #Season2 #T20cricket #LankaPremierLeague #TheFutureisHere pic.twitter.com/ktLo24eZ1N
— LPL - Lanka Premier League (@LPLT20) December 23, 2021
After the highest run-getter, we delve into the highest wicket-taker in the tournament. It was none other than Samit Patel who was phenomenal this season in the Lanka Premier League.
Samit Patel picked 16 wickets in 10 games with an average of 13.69. Patel scored 22 off 20 in the final match of the tournament but that wasn't enough to chase the trophy.
Can Patel make a stronger comeback next year? Let us know your thoughts.
Matches | Wickets | Eco | Avg | SR |
10 | 16 | 5.76 | 13.68 | 14.2 |
Avishka Fernando (Jaffna Kings)
Cricket World Player of the Week - Avishka Fernando
— Cricket World (@Cricket_World) December 28, 2021
Opener Avishka Fernando's 41-ball 63 in the final of the Lanka Premier League 2021 helped Jaffna Kings lift the trophy by beating Galle Gladiators by 23 runs@Avishka28https://t.co/SbvWEwWOEn#AvishkaFernando #PlayeroftheWeek pic.twitter.com/oo3I7sgM1I
Another brilliant tournament for a performer who was just 15 runs away from becoming the highest scorer of the tournament. However, he couldn't manage to do so.
Avishka Fernando had a great tournament and he did win the trophy with his side after a courageous inning in the final of the competition. Fernando scored 63 off 41 balls alongside Rahmanullah Gurbaz, another player who was exploding consistently.
Avishka scored 312 runs in the tournament with an average of 34.67. He was also the only player to fire a century in the tournament. He scored 100 off just 64 balls against the Dambulla Giants.
Matches | Runs | Avg | SR | 100s/50s |
10 | 312 | 34.66 | 153 | 1/2 |
Maheesh Theekshana (Jaffna Kings)
A player who had a great tournament with the ball, Theekshana picked 16 wickets at an average of 16.75. This player from the Jaffna Kings was the joint-highest wicket-taker alongside Samit Patel, only behind due to his inferior bowling average.
The player was exceptional in Qualifier 2 but had a bad final, conceding 51 runs in his four overs. However, he ended up on the winning side in the competition and it's safe to say that the Kings would've had problems in the course of the tournament had Theekshana not played.
Matches | Wickets | Eco | Avg | SR |
10 | 16 | 6.87 | 16.75 | 14.6 |
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Jaffna Kings)
Gurbaz did not play all the 10 games of the tournament but his impact was still greater than a lot of players who played every game of the Lankan Premier League. Gurbaz scored 207 runs in just matches that included a vital 35 in the final against Galle Gladiators.
Gurbaz was clutch in Qualifier 2 as well, scoring 70 off just 40 balls. In Qualifier 1 where Jaffna Kings succumbed to Galle Gladiators, Gurbaz stood strong and managed to score 59 there as well.
Gurbaz turned up in the most crucial matches for his side and that's why, despite playing a couple of games less, Gurbaz makes it to the list of the top 5 performers.
Matches | Runs | Avg | SR | 100s/50s |
8 | 207 | 26 | 145 | 0/2 |
Let us know your thoughts! Stay tuned with Cricwizz for more updates!
Cover Credits: CricketSL