CPL 2021 to take place in St Kitts and Nevis from August 28

The 2021 edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is set to get underway on August 28 with all the 33 matches to take part in St Kitts and Nevis. Back in 2020, the tournament took place in Trinidad and Tobago across two venues with the COVID-19 protocols in place. The Warner Park has been a home ground of St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.

St Kitts and Nevis has no COVID-19 transmission and is one of the safest places in the West Indies. The venue has been a witness to a number of superlative knocks including Chris Gayle and Andre Russell’s century in 2019 and 2016 respectively.

CPL CEO shows his delight

“We are delighted to be able to announce that we will be having the Hero CPL in St Kitts & Nevis in 2021 and we would like to thank those involved in welcoming the tournament to this wonderful country,” Pete Russell, the CPL’s COO, was quoted as saying in CPL’s official website.

“As was demonstrated during the 2020 tournament the CPL is a massive boost for the host country with US$51.5million delivered in sponsorship value for Trinidad & Tobago. We are really looking forward to giving St Kitts & Nevis the exposure they deserve,” he stated.

“We are greatly confident that the hosting of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in St. Kitts & Nevis in 2021 will stimulate much-needed economic activity, especially for small and medium-sized local businesses,” he added.

The tournament will also come in handy for the national players, who would be taking part in the T20 World Cup later this year in India. The West Indies have played quite a few T20I series against New Zealand and Sri Lanka after their return post the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trinbago Knight Riders are the defending champions of the CPL after they beat the St Lucia Zouks in the final by eight wickets at the Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad. The team also won the titles in 2017 and 2018 respectively.

In the 2019 edition, Kieron Pollard and Co bowed out after their defeat to Barbados Tridents in the playoffs. The Knight Riders would be looking to add more to their tally.