The Caribbean Premier League is spreading excitement. As the tournament is going close to the playoff stage, the excitement is touching new heights. But the ongoing season has become a roller coaster ride for the Trinbago Knight Riders. With several injuries and some setbacks, they are struggling. Captain Kieron Pollard expressed a heartfelt message ahead of TKR’s last home match of the season against the Barbados Royals.
Major Injury Setbacks for TKR:
The Trinbago Knight Riders have experienced a rollercoaster season, grappling with numerous challenges. Injuries have hit the team hard, affecting key players like Dwayne Bravo, Sunil Narine, and Andre Russell. Bravo has announced his retirement from playing after a groin injury prematurely ended his CPL 2024 campaign.
Narine is currently recovering from a quad strain, while Russell is managing a hamstring injury sustained at the tournament’s start. Additionally, USA fast bowler Ali Khan has missed the entire CPL 2024 due to injury. These setbacks have put the Knight Riders in a tough spot as they strive to turn their season around amidst these challenges.
Captain Pollard’s Message:
On September 28, Trinbago Knight Riders is all set to feature in their last home game for the ongoing CPL season against Barbados Royals. Along with massive injury struggles, the team faced some real setbacks regarding their performances. Before stepping into the final home game, captain Pollard shared a special message to the team. He said, “From a performance perspective, we’ve played eight games – won five and lost three. We’ll take that.”
Later he said, “The first step in any tournament is to qualify. If we were in fifth or sixth place, it would be a different conversation. So, you expect this to happen. This is T20 cricket but given all the obstacles that have transpired throughout the season, we will take where we are [fourth place] at this particular time.”
Lastly, he added, “We still have an opportunity to finish in the top two. We still have to play good cricket and we still have to play consistent cricket but this happens. The tournament has got a bit harder, despite having names on paper, all teams are stronger and they are playing very, very good cricket. Tactically, they are up there in terms of how cricket should be played, which is a good sign for us in the Caribbean.”
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Praising New Talents:
In CPL 2024, the emergence of new T20 talents has been noteworthy, particularly with Shaqkere Parris and Keacy Carty. Parris has gained significant recognition in just six matches, displaying impressive skills this season. Captain Kieron Pollard expressed satisfaction with Parris’ development but emphasized the importance of young players in the region continuing to enhance their skills for future success.
The skipper said, “It augurs well. You talk about his scores in Barbados but he also played here in Trinidad as well for Victoria in the concluded local season as well.”
Later he added, “Again, it’s something as a team we had looked at in terms of scouting and he coming onto the scene and get an opportunity – play five games – and having a conversation about just not playing because you have to play but giving us an opportunity to select him as a normal player when that time comes is what exactly he’s done as an individual. So kudos must go to him as well, taking up the mantle to show that this is what he’s made of.”
Focusing Over Local Talents:
Every T20I league becomes a golden opportunity for the local players. Sometimes they become icons while performing on those stages. Pollard is all optimistic towards the local talents. While talking about this, the Caribbean star said, “But if I can say this we would have loved to have some local guys – local from Trinidad as well – in the squad from a performance perspective.”
Further, he said, “And that’s how we look at it. Not just because you’re from Trinidad, we’re going to select you, we look at performances as well. So that means our own players need to have a look at themselves and persons above as well to develop what is needed going forward.
Lastly, he added, “This Under-23 is made for local guys to get the opportunity to fly the flag. For Parris and Nathan Edward, they’ve shown us what they can do and hopefully in the future we can have more of those talents coming through because we need the next batches of the Dwayne Bravos, the Sunil Narines and Kieron Pollards, Lendl Simmons and [Denesh] Ramdins from Trinidad as well. So, a lot of work to be done on that.”
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