New Delhi, May 22: Deccan Chargers’ Rohit Sharma was named the Indian Premier League’s Citi Under-23 ‘success of the tournament’. Before the IPL-2 semifinals, the Mumbai batsman had notched up 333 runs from 14 matches with a best of 52 and strike-rate of 118 in the tournament.

In addition to his runs, Sharma also turned out to be a surprise package with the ball, picking up 11 wickets so far at an average of 13.81, including a hat-trick.

The adjudicators of this award are three former Indian captains and members of the IPL governing council; Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri and M.A.K. Pataudi, who decided unanimously that Sharma has been the best cricketer in the Under-23 category over the season.

He wins an award of Rs. 10 lakh (approximately $21,100) from Citi.

Sharma was understandably delighted to be named the winner.

"It is a great honour to be named the Under 23 Success of the League. I’ve been pleased with my form in South Africa, it has been a fantastic competition and I have really enjoyed it," he said.