The Trinbago Knight Riders made history by winning their sixth Caribbean Premier League (CPL) title with a stunning three-wicket victory over the Guyana Amazon Warriors in a tense, low-scoring final in Providence on Sunday, September 21.
Akeal Hosein was named Player of the Match in the final for his contributions with both bat and ball. The all-rounder had stats of 2/26 before hitting the winning runs for his team, scoring a quickfire 16* off seven deliveries while chasing a target of 131. Saurabh Netravalkar also made substantial contributions, totalling 3/25.
Kieron Pollard too had a memorable night, winning a record 18th T20 title to cement his reputation. The experienced all-rounder produced under duress, playing an important role in the chase, scoring 21 off 12 balls. He also scored 383 runs during the competition (his greatest season as a hitter in
The CPL), receiving Player of the competition honours for his timely performances.
In his typical style, Pollard shared his feeling in the post-match interview:
“It means a lot. There are three countries where we’ve played (this season), and the booing is boring now. You have a guy who has represented the entire Caribbean, putting them on the map in a particular format. Yet, we do not appreciate him. I’m not bitter, but I feel sorry, not for myself. God has given me the opportunity to represent my country and my family. I do it because I love the sport, and this means a lot – being five-time champions, Player of the Tournament and a winner at 38 years old. It means a lot.”
Sunil Narine, another legendary West Indian in the TKR squad, also chipped in with a vital cameo with the bat in the final. Scoring 22 runs off 17 balls, he played a key supporting role in stabilising the innings in the run chase for his side.
The triumph also marked a significant moment for captain Nicholas Pooran, who clinched his maiden trophy as captain. To make the moment even more special, he achieved the feat at the same ground where he made his T20 debut. Pooran led the way for his side with 426 runs in the tournament, and was ably supported by Colin Munro (416 runs) and Alex Hales (386 runs).
TKR captain Nicholas Pooran also expressed his delight while shedding some insight into the team’s mindset.
“It’s all about getting the ego out. We’ve lost the last five years, and a lot of things were said. I think every single person answered the call, and they proved everyone wrong. This is what cricket is all about for us. This one means a lot. I’ve waited 13 years for this moment.”
“They gave me a leadership role, and I needed to take responsibility. It’s not about me, but it’s all about what I could do for this team. I was trying to do what the team required. I was not going to back down. I wasn’t going to sit by another year and say we missed another opportunity”, Pooran added.
It was also a special night for Dwayne Bravo, who won his first CPL title as head coach after playing his part as a player in the previous four title wins. Expressing his delight after the win, he said:
“When you have players like Pollard, Pooran, Sunil (Narine), Russell, the most important thing is to just keep the dressing room happy, bank on the experience and trust them as players. So, for this reason, I’m really happy.”
With a blend of international stars, local heroes, and memorable performances, Trinbago Knight Riders secured their record-breaking fifth CPL championship. With this achievement, the franchise has solidified their status as the league’s most successful teams, reinforcing their storied legacy and instilling even more pride across the region.
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