Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran, Sunil Narine and Akeal Hosein are set to continue with Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) for Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2026 after the defending champions exercised their right-to-match options.
The experienced West Indian core played a major role in Knight Riders’ title-winning campaign last season, with Akeal earning Player of the Match honour in CPL 2025 final.
One of the biggest changes ahead of the 2026 tournament is Andre Russell leaving Knight Riders to join a new franchise, Jamaica Kingsmen. Russell will team up with Rovman Powell, who has been appointed team captain. He previously led the Jamaica franchise to the CPL title in 2022 when the team was known as Jamaica Tallawahs.
Kingsmen have also signed 19-year-old left-arm wristspinner Vitel Lawes, who put on an impressive performance at the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year. He finished as West Indies’ leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 10 wickets in five matches.
Gudakesh Motie has shifted from Guyana Amazon Warriors to Barbados Tridents following his successful stints with the former in both the CPL and Global Super League (GSL). Tridents have also retained West Indies opener Brandon King through their right-to-match option.
Amazon Warriors have replaced Motie with left-arm spinner Khary Pierre and retained Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Romario Shepherd and Shamar Joseph. Quentin Sampson, who impressed with his stint in CPL 2025, also remains with the franchise.
St Kitts & Nevis Patriots have kept Kyle Mayers, Andre Fletcher and emerging player Alick Athanaze, while Jason Holder will also remain with them. Johnson Charles, CPL’s all-time leading run-getter, has also been roped in. Meanwhile, Evin Lewis has moved to Antigua & Barbuda Falcons after a decade with Patriots.
CPL 2026 to clash with The Hundred
CPL 2026, which will overlap with The Hundred, will run from August 7 to September 20 across eight Caribbean nations, including Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Lucia.
