The Barbados Royals' campaign in the Caribbean Premier League 2024 ended in the penultimate round - Qualifier 2, after a season filled with multiple highs. The Royals began the campaign with five solid wins from the first six matches to become the first CPL 2024 team to book a playoff berth.
Big names from the world of cricket plied their trade for the Royals this season, with some showcasing their talent to the fullest. Here we look at four Royals who made the maximum mark on the CPL stage this 2024 season.
QUINTON DE KOCK
The 31-year-old South African started the CPL 2024 season ruthlessly. No bowler had an answer to his shot-hitting abilities as he went on to single-handedly win matches. He picked up three Player of the Match awards in the first five games and was untouched at the top of the run-scorers table. Although he faced a bit of a hiccup at the latter end of the season, de Kock's contribution this season has been remarkable.
He ended with 453 runs from 12 matches at an average of 45.30 and a strike rate of 161.78. It included a century and two half-centuries. He ended second on the top run-scorers list this CPL 2024, just behind Trinbago Knight Riders' Nicholas Pooran (504). His 115 runs off 68 balls against Guyana Amazon Warriors is the highest individual score this season.
MAHEESH THEEKSHANA
The 24-year-old Sri Lankan has been a revelation for the Royals this season. Not only has he religiously taken wickets in the powerplay overs to put early pressure on the opponents, but he has also been one of the most economical bowlers this CPL. His line and length mixed with his consistency have made him a standout.
By the end of his CPL 2024 campaign, he had taken 17 wickets from 12 matches with a fantastic strike rate of 16.58 and an impressive economy rate of 6.34. He finished second to Saint Lucia Kings Noor Ahmad (19) in the top wicket-takers list this season.
DAVID MILLER
The South African star had a slow start to CPL 2024 but ended the season with a flourish. Even though he starred in several matches, his innings against Trinabago Knight Riders in the Eliminator can be marked as one of the season’s best performances. When floodlight failure reduced the target to 60 runs from just five overs, Miller went all guns blazing to hit a solid 50 in just 17 balls. It included five maximums and three boundaries.
The 35-year-old ended CPL 2024 with 268 runs from 10 matches at an average of 44.66 and a strike rate of 162.42. His highest score of 71* came against the Guyana Amazon Warriors in match 27 of CPL 2024. Although the Royals lost the game, that was the onset of Miller's rampant form.
NAVEEN-UL-HAQ
The 25-year-old Afghan did have an expensive start to CPL 2024, but quickly turned things around to become a real threat to the opposing batters. He finished the season as the Royals' second-best wicket-taker with 11 wickets from 10 matches. His strike rate was a notable 20.18 and an economy rate of 8.94.
His best figures of 3/21 came in the match against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, where the Royals won handsomely by nine wickets.