By Zainab Shafiq 
The Caribbean’s most vibrant cricket spectacle returns as CPL 2025 kicks off on August 14 with St Kitts & Nevis Patriots hosting Antigua & Barbuda Falcons in Basseterre. The tournament will run until September 21, delivering 34 high-intensity matches across six iconic Caribbean venues. The league phase will determine the top four, who will battle in playoffs at Guyana’s Providence Stadium. Like the IPL format, the top two sides will have a double shot at reaching the final.
This 13th season spans six host nations: St Kitts, Antigua, St Lucia, Trinidad, Barbados, and Guyana. The defending champions, St Lucia Kings, enter with eyes on a second consecutive title, while powerhouses like Trinbago Knight Riders aim to reclaim the throne.
All Teams and Star Players
St Lucia Kings will defend their crown without last year’s captain Faf du Plessis, sidelined for groin surgery. Veteran all-rounder David Wiese, turning 40 this year, takes over leadership duties, adding to his rich resume of 400+ T20 matches. USA’s Aaron Jones, last year’s final hero, returns as a local player via his Barbados passport.
Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) boast unmatched experience. Led by Kieron Pollard, they feature Andre Russell, Nicholas Pooran, Sunil Narine, Alex Hales, and Colin Munro. New signings include Pakistan’s Mohammad Amir and Usman Tariq. Darren Bravo makes a comeback after a two-year absence, joining his brother Dwayne Bravo, who steps in as head coach.
Guyana Amazon Warriors, champions in 2023, retain spin maestro Imran Tahir, still dominant at 46. Though Glenn Phillips is ruled out through injury, their bowling depth keeps them in the title conversation.
CPL 2025 Legends and Veteran Impact
Age seems just a number this season. Tahir’s CPL record, the only overseas player with 100+ wickets, remains unmatched. Moeen Ali, 38, skips the Hundred to join the CPL, teaming up with Tahir. Pollard, 38, fresh from MLC glory, will marshal TKR alongside Munro and Hales, with Hales just 41 runs shy of overtaking Pollard as the second-highest run-scorer in T20 history. Shakib Al Hasan, also 38, is on the verge of 500 T20 wickets, needing just two more strikes.
Breakout Talents to Watch in CPL 2025
Every franchise must field at least one player from the recently launched breakout league in each match, allowing up to five overseas players in their XI. Among the young prospects: Amazon Warriors’ Jediah Blades, a new-ball swing specialist who can also handle the older ball, and Barbados Royals’ Kofi James, a fearless powerplay hitter with part-time offspin skills.
Where to Watch CPL 2025 Outside Caribbean
For fans outside the Caribbean, the broadcast reach is wide:
- India: JioStar (TV) & Fancode (digital)
- USA: Willow
- UK: TNT Sports
- New Zealand: Sky NZ
- Sub-Saharan Africa: SuperSport
Every game will also feature ball-by-ball commentary on ESPNcricinfo.
CPL 2025 Schedule Clash with The Hundred
No modern franchise league escapes a calendar collision. CPL 2025 overlaps with The Hundred, leading to high-profile absences like du Plessis and Noor Ahmad, while others, like Moeen Ali, chose the Caribbean over England’s competition.
With seasoned stars, emerging Caribbean talent, and a packed six-nation itinerary, CPL 2025 promises another month-long festival of cricket, drama, and entertainment. The question is, who will party the loudest when the final celebrations erupt in Guyana?
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webdesk 
Anas Ahmed