The Caribbean Premier League is set to get underway tonight and players would be tested, especially those who will be representing their national squad in the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup in October.
The Caribbean Premier League 2020 was the eighth season of the domestic league in T20 and it was the Trinbago Knight Riders, who won the tournament, bearing St.Lucia Zouks in the final. The matches over the years have been played in six countries, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Barbados, Guyana, Nevis, Saint Kitts, and Trinidad and Tobago, with Trinidad and Tobago hosting the 2020 season.
Only 1 day to go! Check out @SunilPNarine74 bowling crickets first maiden super over now ➡️ https://t.co/jKd6KIOUzK #CPL21 #CricketPlayedLouder #BiggestPartyInSport #RoadToCPL21 pic.twitter.com/8ILLVTp3p6
— CPL T20 (@CPL) August 26, 2021
The six teams playing in the are the defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders, St.Lucia Kings (Zouks last season), the runners-up, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Jamaica Tallawah, St Kitts, and Nevis Patriots, and Barbados Royals (Tridents last season).
What's new in this tournament? Well, the introduction of the "Smart Ball" makes the tournament more intriguing as we test another technological advancement in the field of cricket.
Know more about the Smart Ball in detail here.
Let's have a look at the rosters of every team and see which ones would be the teams to look forward to before the tournament commences.
Trinbago Knight Riders
Behind the scenes with the @TKRiders 🇹🇹 #CPL21 #CricketPlayedLouder #BiggestPartyInSport pic.twitter.com/9hR5K5Q5xw
— CPL T20 (@CPL) August 25, 2021
Team: Kieron Pollard (c), Denesh Ramdin, Sunil Narine, Darren Bravo, Lendl Simmons, Khary Pierre, Anderson Phillip, Tion Webster, Akeal Hosein, Jayden Seales, Ali Khan, Ravi Rampaul, Leonardo Julien
The team possesses a well-proven overseas arsenal with Isuru Udana, Ali Khan, Yasir Shah, and Colin Munro.
The defending champions don't look like they'll back down!
St.Lucia King's
The @SaintLuciaKings are excited, are you? Here’s some BTS from their set today! 📸 🏏 #CPL21 #CricketPlayedLouder #BiggestPartyInSport pic.twitter.com/mYVI1jsPDp
— CPL T20 (@CPL) August 25, 2021
Team: Rahkeem Cornwall, Andre Fletcher, Kesrick Williams, Obed McCoy, Mark Deyal, Roston Chase, Javelle Glen, Keron Cottoy, Jeavor Royal, Kadeem Alleyne, Alzarri Joseph
The overseas options in the side will be the ones who look like the bigger game-changers. Skipper Faf du Plessis, Samit Patel, Wahab Riaz, and Usman Qadir will all be a part of the side that failed to clear the ultimate test in the final last season. They will be a team that's hurt and would be looking to make a strong statement from the beginning.
Barbados Royals
Photo shoot with the @BarbadosRoyals 🇧🇧 #CPL21 #CricketPlayedLouder #BiggestPartyInSport pic.twitter.com/MuMcPUBEWL
— CPL T20 (@CPL) August 25, 2021
Team: Jason Holder (c), Johnson Charles, Shai Hope, Kyle Mayers, Hayden Walsh Jr., Raymon Reifer, Justin Greaves, Nyeem Young, Joshua Bishop, Oshane Thomas, Ashley Nurse
The future of the West Indies national team lies in this franchise and the team is a perfect blend of youngsters and experience.
The likes of Mohammad Amir, Azam Khan, Smit Patel, Glenn Phillips, and Thisara Perera would be instrumental in the team's success. The tweaking of their name would also be a test of fortunes. This team could cause a lot of trouble to its competitors. Beware!
Guyana Amazon Warriors
Behind the scenes with the @amznwarriors 🇬🇾 #CPL21 #CricketPlayedLouder #BiggestPartyInSport pic.twitter.com/fURorlAmuH
— CPL T20 (@CPL) August 25, 2021
Team: Nicholas Pooran (c), Imran Tahir, Shimron Hetmyer, Brandon King, Romario Shepherd, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Odean Smith, Anthony Bramble, Kevin Sinclair, Ashmead Nedd, Waqar Salamkheil, Nial Smith, Gudakesh Motie.
The team also has Imran Tahir, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Waqar Salamkheil, and Naveen-ul-Haq as the overseas options and the franchise wouldn't have a problem in making tough decisions with some experienced personalities in the team.
Jamaica Tallawahs
Behind the scenes with the @JAMTallawahs 🇯🇲 #CPL21 #CricketPlayedLouder #BiggestPartyInSport pic.twitter.com/oce74VeD41
— CPL T20 (@CPL) August 25, 2021
Team: Rovman Powell (c), Carlos Brathwaite, Chadwick Walton, Fidel Edwards, Veerasammy Permaul, Ryan Persaud, Andre Russell, Jason Mohammed, Qais Ahmad, Kennar Lewis, Abhijai Mansingh, Joshua James, Kirk McKenzie.
The team also has Qais Ahmad, Migael Pretorius, Haider Ali as the overseas options and a lot will depend on two senior players in the squad, Andre Russell and Carlos Braithwaite.
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots
The @sknpatriots are all shot and ready! 🏏📸
— CPL T20 (@CPL) August 26, 2021
Let’s salute them below 👇🏾 😉#CPL21 #CricketPlayedLouder #BiggestPartyInSport pic.twitter.com/U5oJ8JSTVi
Team: Rayad Emrit (c), Dwayne Bravo, Sheldon Cottrell, Evin Lewis, Fabian Allen, Sherfane Rutherford, Jon-Russ Jaggesar, Dominic Drakes, Joshua Da Silva, Chris Gayle, Devon Thomas, Colin Archibald, Mikyle Louis
Asif Ali, Ravi Bopara, Fawad Ahmed, and Paul van Meekeren are the overseas players in the squad. The addition of Dwayne Bravo and Chris Gayle would be a huge plus for the side and they would hope that they at least make it to the top four.
The teams have the potential to dethrone the champions but it will take some effort to do so. Every team has a match-winner on their side and every match is an opportunity for a player to turn into one.
If we talk about the favorites for this season, the Champions and runners-up will have a huge say in the tournament and Cricwizz feels either of the teams could take the trophy home.
However, seeing a new winner this season would be great to watch. Let us know who are your favorites, the players to look for in the tournament via your social media accounts. Follow Cricwizz on Instagram and Twitter for more updates. Stay tuned with Cricwizz for the best cricket content.