By Zainab Shafiq 
In one of the biggest transfers in Caribbean Premier League (CPL) history, Jason Holder joins St Kitts & Nevis Patriots after a remarkable 13-year stint with his home team, the Barbados Royals. The veteran all-rounder’s move marks a new chapter in his CPL journey and is part of a broader reshuffle ahead of the 2025 CPL season.
Holder’s switch to STKNP was confirmed as part of a pre-draft trade, which also saw batter Alick Athanaze head to the Patriots, while power-hitter Sherfane Rutherford moved in the opposite direction to join the Royals.
Royals Era Ends as Holder Joins Patriots
For fans of the Barbados Royals, Holder’s departure is the end of an era. Since the league’s inception in 2013, he has been a cornerstone of the franchise. In his 104-match career with the Royals, he picked up 97 wickets, including two four-wicket hauls, and scored over 1100 runs at a strike rate of 129.60. He led the team to two CPL titles — in 2014 and 2019 — with the latter under his captaincy.
Now, Jason Holder joins Patriots hoping to turn around the fortunes of a franchise that struggled in 2024, finishing bottom of the table with just one win in ten matches. His experience and leadership will be crucial for STKNP, who are aiming for a complete rebuild this season.
Meanwhile, Rutherford, known for his explosive middle-order batting, brings firepower to the Royals lineup. The left-hander, who currently plays in the IPL for Gujarat Titans, has already featured for Guyana and STKNP in previous CPL editions.
The 2025 CPL season will run from August 14 to September 21, with no overlaps with West Indies’ international commitments. St Lucia Kings enter as the defending champions. With trades like these shaking things up, the competition promises new narratives, and all eyes will be on how teams adapt.
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