Narine, Pollard and Russell among TKR’s retentions for forthcoming CPL season

Four-time champions Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) have confirmed their retentions ahead of the upcoming Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season, with Kieron Pollard’s side retaining six players in total.

Apart from the obvious retention that is the skipper Pollard himself, TKR have also retained the other three mega stars in their side — Sunil Narine, Andre Russell and Nicholas Pooran. In addition, TKR have also retained left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein and young seamer Jayden Seales. 

Earlier, the Knight Riders also secured the services of Dwayne Bravo, who will be returning to the franchise from the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots. Pollard’s side also will have Mark Deyal as a part of the set-up for the upcoming season. Deyal has been traded to Saint Lucia Kings, with  Khary Pierre moving the other way around as part of the same deal.

“We are very happy to be able to retain most of the Caribbean players from last year’s TKR squad. The experience of Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Nicholas Pooran coupled with Dwayne Bravo’s return gives our squad a very strong core. In youngsters like Akeal Hosein, Jayden Seales, and Mark Deyal, we have some of the best young talent from Trinidad representing TKR,” head coach Phil Simmons said.

“We’re looking forward to the remaining international signings, and I am excited by the player draft coming up soon to complete the roster and put together a strong squad for CPL 2023.”

In what came as a shock, the Knight Riders, despite boasting a star-studded squad, finished CPL 2022 at the very bottom, picking up just 3 wins in 10 matches. 

The forthcoming season will run from August 16 to September 24.