The fourth edition of the Caribbean Premier League kicks off on June 29. With six teams participating in five venues, including six matches at the Central Broward Stadium in Florida, USA, CPL 2016 is all to set to capture the imagination of the viewers.
One of the biggest selling points of this year's tournament is the participation of new players, who have never played in the tournament before this. While the usual suspects such as Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo are all in the mix, there are some fantastic foreign stars as well.
Here are 5 star players who are making their CPL debut:
Adam Zampa
Ever since impressing in the Big Bash League 2016, Adam Zampa's career has taken an upward trajectory. Not only did he get to represent Australia in the shorter formats of the game but was also snapped up by Rising Pune Supergiants in IPL 2016, where he was one of the best bowlers in the tournament.
Zampa's 12 wickets in just 5 matches, including the second-best figures in the history of the IPL, ensured that he was picked up by one of the most consistent sides in the history of the CPL. Guyana Amazon Warriors may have a new captain in Martin Guptill but have a side that is suited for the tournament.
The slow nature of the Providence track, which was evident during the recently-concluded tri-series will mean the leg spinner will be a force to be reckoned with in CPL 2016.
Faf du Plessis
The South African T20 captain may only be playing in his maiden CPL but he also has the added pressure of being the captain of the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots. With a side that is packed with all the necessary ingredients to claim their maiden CPL title, Faf du Plessis will be looking to impress right from the start.
Faf might only be recovering from an injury that ruled him out of IPL 2016 but he has been in good form both before his injury, with the Rising Pune Supergiants and after it with the South Africa national team during the tri-series against Australia and West Indies.
Irrespective of how well he does as the captain, he will certainly provide plenty of fireworks with the bat in a side that is packed with big hitters.
Shane Watson
Shane Watson may not have been his usual self in the final of IPL 2016 but for the rest of the tournament, he showed just why he is one of the most consistent all-rounders in the history of the Indian Premier League.
Capable of batting anywhere in the top-order and also opening and closing the bowling, he is one of those rare all-rounders who can be a threat on any surface, irrespective of whether it is with the bat or the ball.
Having been snapped up by the St Lucia Zouks, who are captained by Darren Sammy, the former Australian all-rounder will look to show that international retirement has done nothing to dampen his enthusiasm for the game or how effective he is.
Brendon McCullum
Ever since Brendon McCullum announced his retirement from international cricket, he has been on a voyage around the world, participating in the various domestic T20 competitions. After representing Gujarat Lions in IPL 2016, he has turned out for Middlesex in both the limited-overs competition and flourished.
Now, for the first time in his career, he will play in the CPL. And it will be with the team, whose owner was there at the beginning of it all for McCullum. Trinbago Knight Riders are partly owned by Shah Rukh Khan, who was the first to realize the opening batsman's potential and sign him in the inaugural edition of the IPL.
Previously known as the Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel, the defending champions have one of the most complete sides in the tournament and will be looking for the destructive opener to get them off to a flyer.
AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers, arguably the most destructive T20 batsman, will be playing in the Caribbean Premier League on the heels of a disappointing tri-series in the Caribbean with South Africa. Having been snapped up by the Barbados Tridents, AB will look to continue his impressive form in the IPL in the shortest format of the game.
He comes into the tournament on the back of a poor tri-series where he created history for all the wrong reasons as he failed to score a fifty in a series of at least three matches for the first time since August 2008.
Still, at the Barbados Tridents, who won the tournament in 2014, not only will he have plenty of South Africans for company but also a position at the top of the order, which should help him get back to form and illuminate the tournament.
Brand-new app in a brand-new avatar! Download Cric Rocket for fast cricket scores, rocket flicks, super notifications and much more!
