Ramdin bids farewell to Trinbago Knight Riders

TRINBAGO Knight Riders (TKR) have retained nine players from the 2019 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 tournament, along with signing one new player, ahead of the proposed 2020 CPL draft.

TKR have retained Dwayne Bravo, who missed the entire 2019 CPL because of a finger injury, and Kieron Pollard, who served as skipper in Bravo’s absence.

Other players who were retained for the 2020 CPL are Sunil Narine, Darren Bravo, Lendl Simmons, Khary Pierre, Amir Jangoo, Tion Webster and Akeal Hosein. West Indies Under-19 player Jayden Seales will join the team for the first time.

However, experienced wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin is a notable omission. The former TT and West Indies captain, on his Instagram page, wrote, “Thank you to all my fans who supported me at TKR for (the) last four years, winning two trophies, (that) will live with (me) forever but, (due to) things beyond my control, (I) am not going to be at TKR (in) 2020. Thanks to (the) management, staff and captain, also the owner for the opportunity at TKR. Now it’s time to move on.”

Ramdin was instrumental in helping TKR to titles in 2017 and 2018. Ramdin delivered for his team in crucial moments. In the 2017 final against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots at Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Ramdin rescued the team from a shaky position. Chasing 136 to win, TKR were 53/4 in the ninth over when Ramdin came to the crease. The home team sunk into further trouble on 90/7 in the 15th over with Ramdin and Kevon Cooper in the middle. The pair steered TKR to 136/7 in 19 overs to claim the title with Cooper (29 not out) playing the aggressive role and Ramdin (26 not out) being a calming figure.

A TKR press release on Tuesday said, “The Trinbago Knight Riders have announced the Caribbean players they will be retaining for the 2020 Hero Caribbean Premier League. International retentions and signings will be announced at a later date. This year teams can retain as many players from their 2019 squads as they wish. They could also transfer players to other teams and sign emerging players.”