CPL Top Run Scorers: The Top 10 Leading Batsmen in the History of the Caribbean Premier League

The Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has firmly established itself as one of the world’s most exciting and competitive T20 cricket tournaments. Since its inception in 2013, the league has attracted some of the most talented cricketers globally, creating a platform where power-hitting, flamboyant batting and intense competition are on full display. Over the years, the CPL has witnessed many extraordinary batting performances, with several players consistently delivering match-winning knocks. These players have not only become fan favorites but have also etched their names in the record books as the highest run-scorers in the league’s history.

As we delve into the top run-scorers in the CPL, it’s essential to appreciate the consistency, skill, and determination that these players have shown. Topping the run-scoring charts in such a competitive league is no small feat, and it speaks volumes about their abilities to adapt, perform under pressure, and deliver when it matters the most.

1. Johnson Charles – 2,855 runs

At the top of the list is Johnson Charles, a dynamic batsman who has represented multiple teams, including the Antigua Hawksbills, Barbados Royals, and Jamaica Tallawahs, and currently plays for St Lucia Kings, a team that he joined in the 2022 season. Charles has amassed a staggering 2,855 runs in 105 innings at an average of 27.99, with a strike rate of 128.31. His highest score in the league is an unbeaten 94, and while he hasn’t scored a century, his 18 half-centuries underline his consistency. Charles has been an extremely valuable player for all the teams that he has played for, primarily because of his ability to score big runs and that too consistently.

2. Andre Fletcher – 2,842 runs

Close on Charles’ heels is Andre Fletcher, another stalwart of CPL cricket. Fletcher currently plays for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots. However, he previously played for St Lucia Kings from 2013 to 2021. He has scored a total of 2,842 runs in 106 innings from 2013 to 2024. With an average of 29.60 and a strike rate of 119.71, Fletcher has been a reliable run-scorer at the top of the order. His highest score of 93* is one of his 16 fifties in the league, and his consistency over more than a decade has made him one of the most respected batsmen in CPL history.

3. Lendl Simmons – 2,629 runs

Lendl Simmons, a name that probably takes you back to the golden days of West Indies in T20 cricket, takes the third spot with 2,629 runs scored in 91 innings from 2013 to 2021. Having last played in the CPL in the 2021 season, Simmons, who has represented teams like Guyana Amazon Warriors, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Jamaica Tallawahs, and Trinbago Knight Riders, boasts an impressive average of 31.67 and a strike rate of 119.71. Known for his powerful hitting and ability to anchor the innings, Simmons has 20 fifties to his name, with a highest score of 97. His contributions at the top of the order have been crucial to his team’s success.

4. Kieron Pollard – 2,574 runs

Kieron Pollard, one of the most destructive T20 players globally, ranks fourth with 2,574 runs in 103 innings. Pollard, who has played for Barbados Tridents, St Lucia Stars, and Trinbago Knight Riders, among others, has an average of 33.00 and a strike rate of 149.39, highlighting his ability to score quickly and under pressure. Pollard has one century and 12 fifties to his name, with a highest score of 104. His ability to change the course of a game with his explosive batting has made him a feared opponent in the CPL.

5. Chris Gayle – 2,519 runs

Arguably, the most famous T20 cricketer in the world, Chris Gayle, takes the fifth spot with 2,519 runs in 83 innings from 2013 to 2021. Representing Jamaica Tallawahs and St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, Gayle has an astonishing average of 36.50 and a strike rate of 133.13. Known as the “Universe Boss,” Gayle has scored four centuries and 13 fifties in the CPL, with a highest score of 116.

6. Evin Lewis – 2,460 runs

Evin Lewis, another explosive opener, comes in at number six with 2,460 runs in 94 innings from 2014 to 2024. Playing for teams like St Kitts and Nevis Patriots and other franchises, Lewis has an average of 27.33 and an impressive strike rate of 142.03. He has scored one century and 17 fifties in the CPL, with a highest score of 102*. Lewis’ ability to provide rapid starts at the top of the order has made him a valuable asset in the league.

7. Colin Munro – 2,353 runs

New Zealand’s Colin Munro, the only overseas player on this list, ranks seventh, with 2,353 runs in 78 innings from 2016 to 2023. Munro, who has played for St Lucia Kings and Trinbago Knight Riders, has an average of 35.65 and a strike rate of 128.86. Known for his ability to play match-winning innings, Munro has scored one century and 16 fifties in the CPL, with a highest score of 100*.

8. Chadwick Walton – 2,025 runs

Chadwick Walton, a reliable wicketkeeper-batsman, ranks eighth with 2,025 runs in 92 innings from 2013 to 2023. Representing teams like Guyana Amazon Warriors, Jamaica Tallawahs, and Trinbago Knight Riders, Walton has an average of 24.39 and a strike rate of 118.97. With a highest score of 97, Walton has scored 10 fifties in the CPL.

9. Darren Bravo – 1,956 runs

Darren Bravo, a stylish left-handed batsman, occupies the ninth spot with 1,956 runs in 87 innings from 2013 to 2022. Bravo, who has played for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots and Trinbago Knight Riders, has an average of 29.63 and a strike rate of 117.05. Known for his elegant stroke play, Bravo has scored 11 fifties in the CPL, with a highest score of 94*.

10. Nicholas Pooran – 1,943 runs

Rounding off the top 10 is Nicholas Pooran, a dynamic and explosive talent in T20 cricket. Over the course of his CPL career, spanning 92 innings from 2013 to 2023, Pooran has amassed 1,943 runs while representing teams such as the Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, and Trinbago Knight Riders. Boasting an impressive strike rate of 148.32 and an average of 24.91, Pooran has recorded two centuries and 10 fifties, with a highest score of 102*. The CPL has been a critical launching pad for Pooran’s career, providing him the platform to showcase his prodigious talent. His performances in the league not only earned him a spot in the West Indies national team but also paved the way for opportunities in prestigious T20 leagues around the world, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he continues to make his mark on the global stage.

Conclusion

The Caribbean Premier League has provided a stage for some of the most talented and exciting batsmen to showcase their skills. The top 10 run-scorers in the league’s history have not only accumulated runs but have also thrilled fans with their breathtaking performances. From seasoned veterans like Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard to rising stars like Nicholas Pooran, these players have made an indelible mark on the CPL with their exceptional batting displays. Their contributions have been instrumental in the success of their respective teams and have played a significant role in making the CPL the spectacle that it is today.