The Caribbean Premier League has always thrown its surprises every year. In the past 12 editions, we have seen six different franchises share the title, which is a testimony to the level of competition we have had. There are several changes to the teams for this edition, and they also have to deal with unavailability in the first two weeks as CPL clashes with several other tournaments. All these would make this edition of the tournament interesting. As part of our coverage, we shall bring you today's CPL match prediction based on how the teams shape up during the tournament. Picking up an outright winner at the moment is a tough call, and let us now look at how the teams have fared over the last seven seasons of the league -
# Guyana Amazon Warriors
The Guyana Amazon Warriors have been the most consistent team in the tournament. Apart from winning the title in 2023, they also have six other final appearances to their name. The team would consider itself unlucky to have missed out on the title last year, losing to the Saint Lucia Kings in the final. They were consistent and finished at the top of the points table after the league stage. Imran Tahir replaces Shimron Hetmyer as the skipper, and he will look to put his experience to good use. They have big names on the side, like Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul, Dwaine Pretorius, and Shai Hope. The side has a strong batting lineup, and if the bowling attack comes to the party, they will be one of the teams to go the distance.
Squad - Imran Tahir (c), Shimron Hetmyer, Romario Shepherd, Shai Hope, Glenn Phillips, Gudakesh Motie, Moeen Ali, Shamar Joseph, Keemo Paul, Dwaine Pretorius, Shamarh Brooks, Kemol Savory, Hassan Khan, Jediah Blades, Kevlon Anderson, Quentin Sampson, Riyad Latif
# Trinbago Knight Riders
With four titles, the Knight Riders are the most successful team in the tournament's history. They finished fourth last season and paid the price for inconsistency. Their last title win came back in 2020, and the team will look to end this five-year drought with a good show. Skipper Kieron Pollard is one of the most experienced players in this format and leads a star-studded team with the likes of Andre Russell, Alex Hales, Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran, and Akeal Hossain. They have made a habit of demolishing opponents over the years. They boast a strong batting lineup, complemented by depth in both batting and bowling. They would start as one of the favorites this year.
Squad - Kieron Pollard (c), Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran, Alex Hales, Akeal Hosein, Mohammad Amir, Colin Munro, Usman Tariq, Ali Khan, Darren Bravo, Yannic Cariah, Keacy Carty, Terrance Hinds, McKenny Clarke, Joshua Da Silva, Nathan Edward
# Barbados Royals
Since winning the title in 2019, the Barbados Royals haven't been able to repeat the magic. 2024 wasn't a bad season for the team, as they made it to the playoffs but were eliminated in the 2nd Qualifier. Rovman Powell likes leading from the front and would aim for his team's third title. He leads a strong team with players like Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Quinton de Kock, Sherfane Rutherford, and Brandon King. They have immense batting firepower, and it will be interesting to see if the bowling attack can deliver in challenging situations and add the third jewel to their crown.
Squad - Rovman Powell (c), Brandon King, Sherfane Rutherford, Quinton de Kock, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Azmatullah Omarzai, Jomel Warrican, Kadeem Alleyne, Shagkere Parris, Kofi James, Nyeem Young, Rivaldo Clarke, Zishan Motara, Johann Layne, Ramon Simmonds
# St Lucia Kings
After a long and patient wait of 11 seasons, the Saint Lucia Kings finally bagged their first title last season. They put up an excellent show in the final against the Guyana Amazon Warriors. They were consistent last year, and David Weise, who takes over as the skipper would like to start from where his team left off in the last season. They boast an exciting group of players, including Tim Seifert, Roston Chase, Tim David, Johnson Charles, and Tabraiz Shamsi. The bowling attack is strong for the team and well-suited for these conditions. Wiese would like to guide the team to another win.
Squad - David Wiese (c), Tim David, Alzarri Joseph, Johnson Charles, Tim Seifert, Roston Chase, Tabraiz Shamsi, Delano Potgieter, Matthew Forde, Aaron Jones, Khary Pierre, Javelle Glen, Micah McKenzie, Shadrack Descarte, Johann Jeremiah, Keon Gaston, Ackeem Auguste
# St Kitts and Nevis Patriots
Apart from their title win in 2021, there hasn't been much to cheer for the side. They are the most inconsistent team, often finishing in the bottom half of the points table. Last season was a poor show, as they finished at the bottom with only one win to their name. In the last three seasons, the team has managed only five wins. Frequent changes in the team and leadership roles have hurt their prospects. The side must punch above its weight to win its second title. Evin Lewis will look to inspire confidence in the team and do well along with players like Kyle Mayers, Jason Holder, Rilee Rossouw, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and Andre Fletcher. The first challenge for the team will be to break the norm of making a poor start to the season.
Squad - Evin Lewis (c), Kyle Mayers, Jason Holder, Rilee Rossouw, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Corbin Bosch, Waqar Salamkheil, Andre Fletcher, Alick Athanaze, Mohammad Nawaz, Dominic Drakes, Mikyle Louis, Ashmead Nedd, Jeremiah Louis, Jyd Goolie, Navin Bidaisee, Leniko Boucher
# Antigua & Barbuda Falcons
The Antigua & Barbuda Falcons made their debut last season, and it wasn't the kind of start they would have hoped for. They finished fifth on the points table and failed to qualify for the playoffs. The team aims to put last season's upset behind them and make a strong start this year, building momentum as they face their tougher opponents. They have a strong batting lineup and expect to leverage that, with good performances from players like Imad Wasim, Fabian Allen, Shakib al Hasan, Obed McCoy, Naveen-ul-Haq, and Rahkeem Cornwall. They have the resources to go the distance.
Squad - Imad Wasim, Shakib Al Hasan, Fabian Allen, Naveen-ul-Haq, Obed McCoy, Justin Greaves, Bevon Jacobs, Jayden Seales, AM Ghazanfar, Rahkeem Cornwall, Odean Smith, Jewel Andrew, Shamar Springer, Amir Jangoo, Karima Gore, Kevin Wickham, Joshua James
The T20 carnival returns to the Caribbean with the 13th edition of the Caribbean Premier League. It has been a busy T20 season for the last few months, with the IPL and Major Cricket League, and we are currently seeing great action with The Hundred. The Caribbean islands have produced some of the biggest T20 stars the world has seen, who add their flair to the game with a fearless and swashbuckling approach. We shall have all of them for four weeks starting August 14, 2025. 
