The Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2026 franchises have finalised their squads with a mix of major signings and key retention ahead of the new season.

Trinbago Knight Riders re-signed Usman Tariq after his crucial contributions during the 2025 campaign. However, his availability for the upcoming season remains uncertain due to the scheduling overlap between the CPL and The Hundred. The Trinidad-based franchise also strengthened its squad by signing Amshi de Silva, who impressed in Major League Cricket 2026, along with South African batter Matthew Breetzke.

Guyana Amazon Warriors secured the services of Imran Tahir and Glenn Phillips, with Phillips returning to the CPL after a six-year absence. The Warriors also reinforced their spin department by signing veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi.

St Kitts & Nevis Patriots added Pakistan fast bowler Naseem Shah, setting up the possibility of a clash against his brother, Hunain Shah, who was signed by Jamaica Kingsmen. The Patriots further strengthened their squad by acquiring Wanindu Hasaranga, Waqar Salamkheil, and Nikhil Chaudhary.

St Lucia Kings welcomed back Tim Seifert and Noor Ahmad, while Shadley van Schalkwyk is set to make his maiden CPL appearance with the franchise. Barbados Tridents signed Quinton de Kock and Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman to bolster their squad.

Antigua & Barbuda Falcons secured the signatures of Shadab Khan and Sufiyan Muqeem, although both players are expected to be available for only seven matches due to commitments in the European T20 Premier League (ETPL), which overlaps with the CPL schedule. The Falcons have also added experienced internationals Moeen Ali and Kusal Perera.

The 2026 Caribbean Premier League will be held across a record-equalling eight Caribbean nations: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The seven-team tournament will run from August 7 to September 20, overlapping with The Hundred, the European T20 Premier League (ETPL), and the knockout stages of the Lanka Premier League (LPL).

CPL 2026 squads

Antigua & Barbuda Falcons

Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Fabian Allen (Right-to-Match Option), Jayden Seales (RMO), Amir Jangoo (RMO), Shamar Springer, Jahmar Hamilton, Rahkeem Cornwall, Anderson Phillip, Karima Gore (Breakout player), Anderson Mahase (Breakout player), Joshua James (Breakout player, retained), Moeen Ali, Kusal Perera, Milind Kumar, Tajinder Singh, Shadab Khan, Sufyan Moqim

Barbados Tridents

Gudakesh Motie, Sherfane Rutherford, Brandon King (RMO), Zachary Carter, Kadeem Alleyne (RMO), Ramon Simmonds (retained), Shadrack Descarte, Zishan Motara, Jakeem Pollard (Breakout player), Johann Layne (Breakout player), Kofi James (Breakout player, RMO), Quinton de Kock, Chris Green, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, George Linde, Daniel Sams

Guyana Amazon Warriors

Shimron Hetmyer (RMO), Romario Shepherd (RMO), Shai Hope (RMO), Khary Pierre, Shamar Joseph (RMO), Ronaldo Alimohamed, Veerasammy Permaul, Matthew Nandu, Jonathan van Lange, Mavendra Dindyal (Breakout player), Isai Thorne (Breakout player), Quentin Samspson (Breakout player), Imran Tahir, Mohammad Nabi, Glenn Phillips, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Dwaine Pretorius

Jamaica Kingsmen

Rovman Powell, Andre Russell, Keemo Paul, Keacy Carty, Jediah Blades, Shaqkere Parris, Odean Smith, Vitel Lawes (RMO), Romaine Morris, Kirk McKenzie (Breakout player), Kelvin Pitman (Breakout player), Jeavor Royal (Breakout player), Maaz Sadaqat, Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Hassan Khan, Hunain Shah, Shayan Jahangir, Tayyab Arif

St Kitts & Nevis Patriots

Johnson Charles, Jason Holder, Kyle Mayers (RMO), Andre Fletcher (RMO), Kevin Wickham, Obed McCoy, Ashmead Nedd, Jeremiah Louis, Alick Athanaze (RMO), Micah McKenzie (Breakout player), Navin Bidaisee (Breakout player, retained), Mikyle Louis (Breakout player, RMO), Naseem Shah, Dasun Shanaka, Waqar Salamkheil, Wanindu Hasaranga, Nikhil Chaudhary

St Lucia Kings

Roston Chase (RMO), Jewel Andrew, Matthew Forde (RMO), Kamil Pooran, Darron Nedd, McKenny Clarke, Joshua Bishop, Damion Joachim, Keon Gaston (RMO), Amari Goodridge (Breakout player), Johann Jeremiah (Breakout player), Ackeem Auguste (Breakout player, retained), Tim Seifert, Noor Ahmad, Maheesh Theekshana, Charith Asalanka, Shadley van Schalkwyk

Trinbago Knight Riders

Sunil Narine (RMO), Nicholas Pooran (RMO), Kieron Pollard (RMO), Akeal Hosein (RMO), Justin Greaves, Dominic Drakes, Jyd Goolie, Dexter Sween, Terrance Hinds (RMO), Nathan Edward (Breakout player, retained), Joshua Da Silva (Breakout player), Abdul-Raheem Toppin, Usman Tariq, Alex Hales, Colin Munro, Matthew Breetzke, Amshi de Silva

Former India captain Kris Srikkanth has thrown his weight behind veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, urging the Indian team management to keep him in contention for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Jadeja, 37, has been absent from India’s last two ODI assignments against Afghanistan and England, raising questions over his place in the team’s white-ball plans. The left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder last featured in an ODI during the home series against New Zealand, where he endured a difficult outing. He failed to pick up a wicket across the three matches while conceding runs at an economy rate of over six.

Despite that underwhelming series, Jadeja remains one of India’s most dependable ODI performers over the last decade. Srikkanth expressed surprise over the veteran’s omission and insisted that the all-rounder still has plenty to offer if he continues performing.

“I am not sure why Ravindra Jadeja has been totally let go. He only did brilliantly in the 2023 World Cup. He is a silent killer. It’s not like he has announced retirement in ODIs. Yet, he doesn’t play ODIs at all and rarely plays in Tests despite producing match-winning performances when he does. I still believe Jadeja should be in the scheme of things and in the squad if he performs well,” He said, speaking on Star Sports.

Jadeja played a pivotal role in India’s runners-up finish at the 2023 ODI World Cup. Operating as the team’s frontline spin-bowling all-rounder, he claimed 16 wickets and contributed 120 runs in 11 matches, proving his value in both departments.

Srikkanth also shared his views on India’s spin combination for the 2027 ODI World Cup, stating that the team should travel with three specialist spin options.

The former opener believes Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav should be automatic selections if they maintain their form, while the third spinner can be identified closer to the tournament.

“Totally India will need three spinners in the squad for the World Cup. Two should play in the 11 and one in the reserves. Axar Patel will be one and I’ll pick Kuldeep Yadav if he continues to do well. Wrist spinners are always potential match-winners. The third spinner can be decided at a later stage,” he continued.

However, Srikkanth was not convinced about Washington Sundar’s credentials as a specialist spin option for the World Cup squad, despite acknowledging his abilities in the longest format.

“Washington Sundar is a brilliant Test cricketer. But in ODIs, I am not even sure if he has ever bowled his full 10 overs in a match. So he’s doubtful for the squad, especially when there are so many other young spinners that are there.”

Team India recently lost the three-match ODI series against England by a margin of 1-2 despite winning the opening match of the series. 

Sanju Samson represented Rajasthan Royals for 11 seasons before his move to Chennai Super Kings ahead of IPL 2026. The trade between the two franchises saw Samson head to CSK in exchange for allrounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, marking one of the most high-profile player trades in IPL history. Samson joined CSK for INR 18 crore, while Jadeja’s fee was revised to INR 14 crore and Curran’s fee remains INR 2.4 crore.

During his time with Rajasthan Royals, Samson led the franchise in five IPL seasons from 2021 to 2025. Under his leadership, Rajasthan Royals reached the final in the 2022 season. Across his IPL career, Samson scored over 4500 runs. Samson opened up about the decision to leave the franchise that had been his home for over a decade.

“Leaving Rajasthan Royals was a huge risk. Once you convey your feelings to the franchise, there is no going back. You could end up in a team you don’t want to go to or even in the auction with no certainty. There were two reasons behind this decision. First, I was sure that 2025 would be my last season with RR. I had long conversations with my family and my wife. They kept asking me if it was an impulsive decision or if I was really sure,” said Samson on JioStar’s Superstars.

“We discussed it for two or three weeks, and then we decided it was time. I was convinced it was the right call. Second, I am a confident person. I believe I can stand on my own. I am always ready to start from zero. Many people told me that my batting style might not suit the slow Chepauk wicket. Those thoughts did cross my mind. But then I told myself, ‘You are 30 years old. Go out and find a way.’ This IPL season, I went in with a lot of energy, thinking I had to achieve something. I discovered a new energy there, and it was working very well for me,” he added.

Adapting to CSK and overcoming early setbacks

Samson’s early CSK experience included three consecutive losses and personal struggles with form. However, he highlighted the unwavering support from the team management and his teammates during that difficult period. The batter emphasised that despite the pressure of joining a new franchise and the expectations that come with it, the backing he received from CSK proved invaluable in helping him navigate the challenging start to his IPL 2026 campaign.

“In T20 cricket, failure is common. In this format, you tend to fail more than you succeed. So, when you are going through a rough patch, you need people around you who understand that failure is part of the game. When I joined CSK, I failed in my first three games. We lost all three, and I didn’t score runs. I had just come off playing in the World Cup final, but I wasn’t able to carry that form into the IPL,” said Samson.

“In that situation, no matter how experienced you are, you know that the coach expects more, the captain expects more, and Mahi bhai is watching you. So I went to the nets, worked on my game, and stayed in my zone. I was more mature this time around and I knew what I had to do. But what really stood out was that the response from the team management and my teammates didn’t change even one per cent. When I failed three matches in a row, their faith in me never wavered. That meant a lot to me,” he added.