The Champions League T20 was conceptualized in the year 2009. The tournament saw T20 franchises from leading nations compete. This was the brainchild of BCCI, Cricket Australia, and Cricket South Africa. Teams from the top 8 Test-playing nations locked horns for the tag of the world’s best T20 franchise. Stay with us to know about Players Who Excelled In CLT20 and then Received IPL Contracts.
Mumbai Indians (2011 & 2013) and Chennai Super Kings (2010 & 2014) are the only teams to have won the title twice. New South Wales Blues and the Sydney Sixers won the trophy once. CL T20 served as a platform for players to garner IPL franchises’ attention.
StumpsandBails looks at five players Players Who Excelled In CLT20 and then Received IPL Contracts:
#5 Chris Morris
Chris Morris became a household name after he broke the record for being the most expensive player ever bought in the auctions. But not many people might be knowing that Morris first played for CSK in the IPL. Morris caught CSK’s attention when he featured in CLT20 playing for Highveld Lions. He picked up 6 wickets in 6 games and scored crucial cameos helping the African team reach the CLT20 finals. CSK later bought him for 3.32 crore in the 2013 IPL Auction.
#4 Michael Klinger
Michael Klinger represented South Australia Redbacks in CLT20. He was a star performer for his team, as he scored 287 runs in eight innings across two seasons (2010-11) at an average of 41. Klinger earned an IPL contract from the Kochi Tuskers Kerala team. However, he couldn’t replicate his form in the IPL.
#3 Davy Jacobs
Davy Jacobs, the South African wicket-keeper batsman created ripples in the 2010 Champions League T20. He played six games for the Warriors, scoring 286 runs at an average of 47.66. It was almost certain that he will fetch big money in the IPL Auctions next year. Unsurprisingly, MI bought him in IPL 2011. But unfortunately, Jacobs couldn’t continue his form in the IPL.
Also read: 5 Underrated ODI Bowlers Of The Past
Sunil Narine is a certified IPL legend. But he made his way to IPL via CLT20. Narine had a fantastic CLT20 in 2009. He picked up 10 wickets in 6 games. He conceded runs at just 4.37 per over in the tournament. Narine was hot property in IPL 2012 auctions. KKR fought off a bidding war against MI to acquire Narine for INR 3.51 crores in 2012. Narine went on to win MVP in 2012 and helped KKR win their maiden IPL title.
#1 Kieron Pollard
Kieron Pollard had gone unsold in IPL 2009. It is a fact that not many are aware of. But later that year he had a rollicking CLT20 with the Trinidad and Tobago team. He was exceptional in a run chase against New South Wales. Pollard amassed 154 runs at a strike rate of 197 and picked 6 wickets for T&T. MI picked him in IPL 2010 auctions for INR 3.47 crores.
