CPL 2026: Teams confirm breakout retentions ahead of upcoming season

Published - 08 May 2026, 12:45 IST | Updated - 08 May 2026, 12:00 IST

Ahead of the highly anticipated Caribbean Premier League Draft, all six franchises have confirmed their mandatory pre-draft Breakout Player retentions, locking in a group of emerging Caribbean stars who represent the next generation of regional cricket excellence.

Under the CPL’s player draft and acquisition regulations for the 2026 season, each franchise was permitted to retain one player ahead of the draft, with that player required to be selected from the team’s Breakout Player category. The retained players - Joshua James, Ramon Simmonds, Quentin Sampson, Navin Bidaisee, Ackeem Auguste, and Nathan Edward - have each earned recognition for their performances, potential, and growing impact across Caribbean cricket.

Each franchise will name a total of three Breakout Players in their final squad for the 2026 season, reinforcing the CPL’s continued commitment to developing emerging Caribbean talent and providing young players with opportunities on the region’s biggest cricketing stage.

As part of the tournament regulations, every team will also be required to field at least one Breakout Player in every match throughout the season.

With only one pre-draft retention allowed - and that retention reserved exclusively for a Breakout Player - the remaining squad positions for all six teams will now be filled during the CPL Draft, setting the stage for one of the most competitive and exciting player selections in league history.

The Caribbean Premier League continues to serve as the premier platform for Caribbean cricket, combining elite entertainment with a proven pathway for the next generation of players to develop and succeed on the global stage.

Notably, the fixtures for the upcoming season of CPL have already been unveiled, with 39 matches set to run from August 07 to September 20.