TRINBAGO KNIGHT Riders (TKR) remain the most successful team since the inception of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 tournament eight years ago.
TKR have won four titles thus far and enter the 2021 edition as reigning champions. Even before the year’s competition bowls off, the Trinidad and Tobago franchise is already a favourite among the competition’s global fan base to capture the crown.
In 2015, Red Chillies Entertainment, led by Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan and Mehta Group businessman Jay Mehta and his wife Juhi Chawla, purchased a stake in TKR, which was named Red Steel at the time.
Red Chillies Entertainment also owns the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and this was the first time an IPL team had invested in a T20 cricket franchise outside India. Ace spinner Sunil Narine remains the only cricketer who currently plays for both TKR and KKR.
[caption id="attachment_908803" align="alignnone" width="897"] In this September 8, 2020 file photo, Lendl Simmons of Trinbago Knight Riders hits a four during the Hero Caribbean Premier League play-off match 31 between Jamaica Tallawahs and Trinbago Knight Riders, at Brian Lara Cricket Academy. - CPL T20 via Getty Images[/caption]
Since Khan’s inclusion to the franchise, TKR’s worldwide fan base grew immensely owing to his iconic Bollywood career and international appeal.
TKR continue to be the showpiece of the CPL.
At last year’s tournament, TKR played unbeaten led by talisman Kieron Pollard, who captained the team to a historic flawless victory. TKR remain the only team in CPL history to have won the tournament without losing a game.
They also finished the 2020 competition with the most runs (1,683) and most wickets (86) by a team.
In 2019, Pollard replaced three-time CPL winner Dwayne Bravo at the helm after the ‘Champion’ all-rounder suffered a finger injury prior to the tourney.
KEY CHANGES THIS SEASON
This year however, TKR have made some significant alterations to their squad. The biggest though, is the surprise transfer of their former captain Bravo, to the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.
A player-swap between both franchises in April saw former TKR wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin return to the squad while Bravo chases a “new challenge”.
The all-rounder has been one of the franchise’s core players since 2013 and TKR fans are expected to be a bit surprised when he lines up for the Patriots this year.
Bravo is known for on-field theatrics and good performances with the bat and ball; an asset TKR fans will definitely miss at the 2021 tournament. Pollard will continue to lead the squad while Narine serves as the new vice-captain.
[caption id="attachment_908805" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Trinbago Knight Riders’ skipper Kieron Pollard - Photo courtesy CPLT20[/caption]
Additionally, on Saturday, the four-time champions said last year’s title-winning coach Brendon McCullum (New Zealand) would not feature this time around owing to personal reasons and covid19 travel restrictions.
They have since appointed e
