The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) draft for 2026 made history on Friday, May 15 — and not just because of the marquee names involved.
With Jamaica Kingsmen entering the competition as a new franchise, this was the biggest player draft in CPL history.
Seven franchises. Retentions, Right to Match picks, breakout selections, and a full squad assembly — all in one sitting.
List Of Breakout And Retained Players of CPL 2026
Here is a complete breakdown of the List of Breakout and Retained Players of CPL 2026, covering every local player confirmed across all seven teams.
How does the CPL 2026 Player Draft work?
Before the squad lists, a quick note on the draft structure. Each franchise was allowed to build a squad of up to 17 players, made up of:
- Nine senior West Indies cricketers
- Five overseas stars
- At least three breakout players
Breakout players are developing Caribbean cricketers — emerging talent that franchises are required to include.
It’s one of the CPL’s most important mechanisms for growing the next generation of West Indian cricket.
Franchises could also use Right to Match (RTM) cards to retain players from the previous season, protecting key relationships before the open draft.
Local Players Confirmed Following CPL Draft 2026
Here is a full breakdown of every franchise — retentions, RTMs, breakout picks, and the complete local squad.
Antigua and Barbuda Falcons
| Category | Players |
|---|---|
| Right to Match | Fabian Allen, Jayden Seales, Amir Jangoo |
| Retained | Joshua James |
| Breakout Players | Karima Gore, Anderson Mahase, Joshua James |
| Full Squad | Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Fabian Allen, Jayden Seales, Amir Jangoo, Shamar Springer, Jahmar Hamilton, Rahkeem Cornwall, Anderson Phillip, Karima Gore, Anderson Mahase, Joshua James |
Barbados Tridents
| Category | Players |
|---|---|
| Right to Match | Brandon King, Kadeem Alleyne, Rivaldo Clarke, Johann Layne, Kofi James |
| Retained | Ramon Simmonds |
| Breakout Players | Jakeem Pollard, Johann Layne, Kofi James |
| Full Squad | Gudakesh Motie, Sherfane Rutherford, Brandon King, Zachary Carter, Kadeem Alleyne, Ramon Simmonds, Shadrack Descarte, Rivaldo Clarke, Zishan Motara, Jakeem Pollard, Johann Layne, Kofi James |
Guyana Amazon Warriors
| Category | Players |
|---|---|
| Right to Match | Shimron Hetmyer, Romario Shepherd, Shai Hope, Shamar Joseph |
| Retained | Quentin Sampson |
| Breakout Players | Mavendra Dindyal, Isai Thorne, Quentin Sampson |
| Full Squad | Shimron Hetmyer, Romario Shepherd, Shai Hope, Khary Pierre, Shamar Joseph, Ronaldo Alimohamed, Veerasammy Permaul, Matthew Nandu, Jonathan Van Lange, Mavendra Dindyal, Isai Thorne, Quentin Sampson |
Jamaica Kingsmen
The newest franchise in the competition, Jamaica Kingsmen had no retentions from a prior season — but they came out of the draft with a squad that means business.
| Category | Players |
|---|---|
| Right to Match | Vitel Lawes |
| Retained | None |
| Breakout Players | Kirk McKenzie, Kelvin Pitman, Jeavor Royal |
| Full Squad | Rovman Powell, Andre Russell, Keemo Paul, Keacy Carty, Jediah Blades, Shaqkere Parris, Odean Smith, Vitel Lawes, Romaine Morris, Kirk McKenzie, Kelvin Pitman, Jeavor Royal |
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots
| Category | Players |
|---|---|
| Right to Match | Kyle Mayers, Andre Fletcher, Alick Athanaze, Mikyle Louis |
| Retained | Navin Bidaisee |
| Breakout Players | Micah McKenzie, Navin Bidaisee, Mikyle Louis |
| Full Squad | Johnson Charles, Jason Holder, Kyle Mayers, Andre Fletcher, Kevin Wickham, Obed McCoy, Ashmead Nedd, Jeremiah Louis, Alick Athanaze, Micah McKenzie, Navin Bidaisee, Mikyle Louis |
Saint Lucia Kings
| Category | Players |
|---|---|
| Right to Match | Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Keon Gaston |
| Retained | Ackeem Auguste |
| Breakout Players | Amari Goodridge, Johann Jeremiah, Ackeem Auguste |
| Full Squad | Roston Chase, Jewel Andrew, Matthew Forde, Kamil Pooran, Darron Nedd, McKenny Clarke, Joshua Bishop, Damion Joachim, Keon Gaston, Amari Goodridge, Johann Jeremiah, Ackeem Auguste |
Trinbago Knight Riders
Trinbago Knight Riders went aggressive on their RTMs, locking down Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard, Akeal Hosein, and Terrance Hinds before the open draft even began.
| Category | Players |
|---|---|
| Right to Match | Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard, Akeal Hosein, Terrance Hinds |
| Retained | Nathan Edward |
| Breakout Players | Nathan Edward, Joshua Da Silva, Abdul-Raheem Toppin |
| Full Squad | Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard, Akeal Hosein, Justin Greaves, Dominic Drakes, Jyd Goolie, Dexter Sween, Terrance Hinds, Nathan Edward, Joshua Da Silva, Abdul-Raheem Toppin |
CPL 2026 Season: Schedule and Venues
Cricket West Indies (CWI) unveiled the schedule of the CPL 2026 season a few weeks ago.
The fourteenth edition of the tournament runs from August 8 to September 21 across eight different venues across the Caribbean.
The opening fixture pits Jamaica Kingsmen against Antigua & Barbuda Falcons – a fitting start for a new franchise with something to prove.
All four playoff matches, including the final, will be hosted at the iconic Kensington Oval in Barbados – one of cricket’s great venues and a fitting stage for the tournament’s biggest moments.
What to Watch For?
The full List Of Breakout and Retained Players of CPL 2026 shows that every franchise has invested seriously in both experience and emerging talent.
Jamaica Kingsmen’s debut squad — built around Andre Russell and Rovman Powell — will draw immediate attention.
The Trinbago Knight Riders’ decision to RTM five players signals a team going all-in on continuity.
For fans of Caribbean cricket, the breakout selections are arguably the most important part of this draft.
Players like Kirk McKenzie, Mavendra Dindyal, Amari Goodridge, and Johann Jeremiah are names worth watching.
The CPL has a long track record of launching careers — and 2026 could be another watershed year for young West Indian talent.
The season kicks off on August 8. Mark the calendar.
FAQs
- When did the CPL 2026 player draft take place?
The CPL 2026 player draft took place on Friday, May 15, 2026.
- What are the breakout players in CPL 2026?
Breakout players are young, developing Caribbean cricketers. Each franchise was required to select at least three breakout players in the CPL 2026 draft as part of the league’s commitment to nurturing regional talent.
- How many teams are competing in CPL 2026?
Seven franchises compete in CPL 2026, including the newly added Jamaica Kingsmen. The other six are Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, Saint Lucia Kings, and Trinbago Knight Riders.
- When does CPL 2026 start?
The CPL 2026 season begins on August 8, 2026, with the opening match between Jamaica Kingsmen and Antigua & Barbuda Falcons.
- Where will the CPL 2026 final be held?
The final, along with all four playoff fixtures, will be played at Kensington Oval in Barbados.
- Which franchise used the most RTM cards in CPL 2026?
Trinbago Knight Riders used five RTM cards — the most of any franchise — retaining Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran, Kieron Pollard, Akeal Hosein, and Terrance Hinds.
Stay Updated on CPL 2026
The squads are set. The schedule is live. Bookmark this page and come back as overseas squad announcements, match previews, and fantasy cricket predictions roll in ahead of August 8.
Also Check: Lowest IPL Totals of All 10 Teams
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