The annual player draft for the 2026 edition of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has concluded, with all seven participating franchises locking in their full rosters of domestic West Indian players ahead of the tournament, scheduled to run from August 7 to September 20. Overseas player signings will be revealed by the league in the coming weeks, building anticipation for one of cricket’s most exciting T20 competitions.
Barbados Tridents made one of the draft’s most high-profile moves, picking up left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie, who departs his home franchise Guyana Amazon Warriors after a five-year tenure. The Tridents also retained Sherfane Rutherford, another Guyanese talent who was part of their 2025 squad, and exercised their Right to Match Options (RMOs) to bring back Brandon King, Kadeem Alleyne, Rivaldo Clarke, Johann Layne and Kofi James. Zishan Motara will also return to the Barbados-based side for the 2026 season.
Defending 2025 champions Trinbago Knight Riders prioritized continuity, using their RMOs to retain their star core of Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard, Akeal Hosein and Terrance Hinds – a group of seasoned veterans that will form the backbone of their title defense. The Knight Riders also added fresh talent to their roster, welcoming Barbadian duo Justin Greaves and Dominic Drakes for their first stint with the Trinidad and Tobago franchise. Jyd Goolie will make his debut for his home team after a 2025 season with St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, and he will be joined by first-time CPL squad members Dexter Sween and Abdul Raheem-Toppin.
St Kitts & Nevis Patriots pulled off a major coup by drafting Johnson Charles, the CPL’s all-time leading run-scorer, to add firepower to their batting line-up. Charles will be joined by Andre Fletcher, the second-highest run-scorer in league history, who was re-signed via an RMO. The Patriots also exercised RMOs to retain Kyle Mayers, Alick Athanaze and Mikyle Louis, brought veteran all-rounder Jason Holder back into the squad, and secured first-time signings of fast bowler Obed McCoy and batter Kevin Wickham for the new season.
Despite losing Motie to Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors retained their core of top local talent, using RMOs to keep Shimron Hetmyer, Romario Shepherd, Shai Hope and Shamar Joseph. The franchise filled Motie’s spinner spot by picking up fellow left-arm slow bowler Khary Pierre, who represented Saint Lucia Kings in 2025. Staying true to their focus on developing homegrown players, 10 of the 12 local selections the Amazon Warriors made for 2026 are Guyanese, including new additions Ronaldo Alimohamed, Veersammy Permaul, Mavendra Dindyal and Jonathan van Lange.
The expansion-framed Jamaica Kingsmen built an experienced roster led by two of Jamaica’s biggest T20 stars, drafting all-rounders Rovman Powell and Andre Russell, both of whom boast elite records in franchise cricket around the world. They also added a host of fellow Jamaican talents including Odean Smith, Vitel Lawes, Jeavor Royal and Kirk McKenzie, and rounded out their squad with Keemo Paul, Keacy Carty and Shaqkere Parris – all players with prior CPL experience at other franchises.
Antigua & Barbuda Falcons secured a major signing in fast bowler Alzarri Joseph, who joins the side after five seasons with Saint Lucia Kings. The Falcons also added explosive batter Evin Lewis, who departs St Kitts & Nevis Patriots after more than a decade with the franchise. Existing squad members Fabian Allen, Jayden Seales and Amir Jangoo were retained via RMOs, while Shamar Springer, Rahkeem Cornwall and Karima Gore all return from the Falcons’ 2025 squad. New domestic prospects Anderson Mahase and Anderson Phillip round out the 2026 roster.
Completing the draft process, Saint Lucia Kings used their RMOs to retain Roston Chase, Matthew Forde and Keon Gaston. They added exciting young Antiguan batter Jewel Anderson to their batting line-up, and welcomed homegrown talent McKenny Clarke back to the franchise after he spent the 2025 season with Trinbago Knight Riders. The Kings also selected Trinidadian top-order batter Kamil Pooran, alongside domestic prospects Damion Joachim, Joshua Bishop and Darron Nedd.
With all domestic player selections now finalized, the CPL turns its focus to announcing the full list of international signings in the weeks ahead, as the region prepares for another high-octane edition of its premier T20 cricket competition.