CPL 2021: Barbados Tridents to be renamed as Barbados Royals after takeover by IPL franchise

The Caribbean Premier League’s team Barbados Tridents will now be known as the Barbados Royals. The Indian Premier League’s footprints have further garnered their audacity in the CPL with the owners of the Rajasthan Royals purchasing majority of the stakes in the Barbados Tridents. The Royals thus become the third franchise of the IPL to own a team in the CPL.

Previously in the year 2015, the Kolkata Knight Riders owners, Red Chillies Entertainment, bought the Trinbago Knight Riders. On the other hand, KPH Dream Cricket Private Limited, the association that is the owners of the Punjab Kings had bought the St Lucia Zouks last year.

The owner of EM Sporting Holdings Ltd, Manoj Badale opened up on this stating that it is a great opportunity that would provide the fans a chance to follow the Royals teams across the world. The EM Sporting Holdings Ltd had recently increased their stakes to 65% in the Royals franchise.

“The idea of creating a global network behind the Royals brand is something that we are keen to do for many years, It was the opportunity too good to miss. The IPL is only on our screen for a short period of the annual calendar. Secondly, it gives our fans an opportunity to follow Royals teams across the world and in different locations. Thirdly, from a cricketing perspective to trial new things.” Badale asserted as reported by ESPNcricinfo.

The 2021 season of the CPL is set to start in August

The 2021 edition of the CPL is all geared up to commence from August 26 to September 15. The season will be played at St Kitts & Nevis. Holder will continue to take the mantle of being the captain of Barbados. Kumar Sangakkara who is the Royals’ director of cricket in the Indian Premier League will also supervise the operations of the CPL.

The former Sri Lanka cricketer extended his warm welcome to the Barbados franchise to Royals’ ecosystem. He also pinned his hopes on the Caribbean talent and asserted that it would help the group to develop and innovate their strategies for the growth of the Royals group. The Barbados franchise is, however, one amongst the three teams to have won the CPL title twice.