Today we will discuss the salary of a Caribbean Premier League (CPL) player in the West Indies.
With the great T20 generation of the West Indies comprising of Gayle, Bravo, Pollard, Sammy, Russell, and more, the CPL has generated lots of hype over the years.
However, there’s one question on every cricket fan’s mind: just how much do these players make?
CPL Salary – By the Numbers
The average salary of a Caribbean Premier League (CPL) player is $45,882 (maximum 17 players in squad with a maximum purse of $780,000). Hence, the maximum salary cap for the entire CPL was $4.68 million for a maximum of 102 players, divided among 6 teams.
The average salary for a domestic Caribbean Premier League is $40,993 ($2,992,500 purse for a total of 73 domestic players). The average salary for an overseas CPL cricketer is $60,089 ($1,682,500 for 28 signed overseas players).
In CPL 2020, the salary amounts were cut by 30% due to COVID induced financial problems. It is unclear if the payments are back to the original amounts (In this article, we present the original salary amounts. For CPL 2020, the salary was reduced by 30% for players earning above $20,000 per season. For example, Round 1 picks would get $112,000 instead of $160,000).
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CPL Draft Picks – Salary of Caribbean Premier League Player
Here were the rules for the 2023 CPL draft:
17 maximum players per squad
5 maximum overseas players squad
Teams can retain players from CPL 2022 & the 6ixty
4 overseas signings should have been signed before the draft while the fifth spot could be signed at any point
*Note: The overseas & marquee signings may be higher than the draft round the players were picked in. Also, Trinbago Knight Riders’ individual player salaries for CPL 2023 may be slightly higher since they only signed 16 players instead of 17.
1. First Round Draft Pick ($160,000)
Player
Team
Signed/Drafted/Retained
Imad Wasim CPL Salary
Jamaica Tallawahs
Signed
Faf du PlessisCPL Salary
Saint Lucia Kings
Signed
Kieron Pollard CPL Salary
Trinbago Knight Riders
Retained
Evin Lewis CPL Salary
St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots
Retained
Rovman Powell CPL Salary
Barbados Royals
Transferred
Imran Tahir CPL Salary
Guyana Amazon Warriors
Signed
2. Second Round Draft Pick ($130,000)
Player
Team
Signed/Drafted/Retained
Brandon King CPL Salary
Jamaica Tallawahs
Retained
Johnson Charles CPL Salary
Saint Lucia Kings
Retained
Andre Russell CPL Salary
Trinbago Knight Riders
Retained
Ambati Rayudu CPL Salary(Marquee)*
St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots
Signed
Jason Holder CPL Salary
Barbados Royals
Retained
Shimron Hetmyer CPL Salary
Guyana Amazon Warriors
Retained
*replacement for Tristan Stubbs
3. Third Round Draft Pick ($110,000)
Player
Team
Signed/Drafted/Retained
Fabian Allen
Jamaica Tallawahs
Retained
Sean Williams*
Saint Lucia Kings
Signed
Sunil Narine
Trinbago Knight Riders
Retained
Andre Fletcher
St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots
Retained
Kyle Mayers
Barbados Royals
Retained
Mohammad Haris/Rahmanullah Gurbaz*
Guyana Amazon Warriors
Signed
*Sean Williams is the replacement for Dasun Shanaka. Gurbaz will come back in the second half, and Haris will fill in for him till then.
4. Fourth Round Draft Pick ($90,000)
Player
Team
Signed/Drafted/Retained
Mohammad Amir
Jamaica Tallawahs
Signed
Alzarri Joseph
Saint Lucia Kings
Retained
Nicholas Pooran
Trinbago Knight Riders
Retained
Sherfane Rutherford
St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots
Retained
Qais Ahmed/Mahesh Theekshana*
Barbados Royals
Signed
Odean Smith
Guyana Amazon Warriors
Retained
*Theekshana will be at the Asia Cup for the first half of the tournament, and Qais Ahmed will fill in for him till he comes back.
5. Fifth Round Draft Pick ($70,000)
Player
Team
Signed/Drafted/Retained
Alex Hales*
Jamaica Tallawahs
Signed
Roston Chase
Saint Lucia Kings
Retained
Rilee Rossouw
Trinbago Knight Riders
Signed
Dominic Drakes
St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots
Retained
Laurie Evans*
Barbados Royals
Signed
Romario Shepherd
Guyana Amazon Warriors
Retained
*Alex Hales replaces Naveen-ul-Haq. Evans is the replacement for Rassie van der Dussen.
6. Sixth Round Draft Pick ($60,000)
Player
Team
Signed/Drafted/Retained
Chris Green
Jamaica Tallawahs
Signed
Jair McAllister
Saint Lucia Kings
Drafted
Akeal Hosein
Trinbago Knight Riders
Retained
Sheldon Cottrell
St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots
Retained
Alick Athanaz
Barbados Royals
Drafted
Azam Khan
Guyana Amazon Warriors
Signed
7. Seventh Round Draft Pick ($40,000)
Player
Team
Signed/Drafted/Retained
Ben Cutting
Jamaica Tallawahs
Signed
Sikandar Raza
Saint Lucia Kings
Signed
Dwayne Bravo
Trinbago Knight Riders
Traded
George Linde
St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots
Signed
Obed McCoy
Barbados Royals
Retained
Shai Hope
Guyana Amazon Warriors
Retained
8. Eighth Round Draft Pick ($30,000)
Player
Team
Signed/Drafted/Retained
Jermaine Blackwood
Jamaica Tallawahs
Drafted
Peter Hatzoglou
Saint Lucia Kings
Signed
Martin Guptill
Trinbago Knight Riders
Signed
Yannick Cariah
St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots
Drafted
Kevin Wickham
Barbados Royals
Drafted
Saim Ayub
Guyana Amazon Warriors
Signed
9. Ninth Round Draft Pick ($20,000)
Player
Team
Signed/Drafted/Retained
Shamarh Brooks
Jamaica Tallawahs
Retained
Chris Sole/Bhanuka Rajapakskha*
Saint Lucia Kings
Signed
Noor Ahmad
Trinbago Knight Riders
Signed
Oshane Thomas
St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots
Traded
Roelof Van der Merwe
Barbados Royals
Signed
Gudakesh Motie
Guyana Amazon Warriors
Retained
*Chris Sole will be avialbe for the first five matches, after which Rajapaksha comes into the squad.
10. Tenth Round Draft Pick ($15,000)
Player
Team
Signed/Drafted/Retained
Hayden Walsh Jr.
Jamaica Tallawahs
Transferred
Roshon Primus
Saint Lucia Kings
Retained
Matheesha Pathirana
Trinbago Knight Riders
Signed
Corbin Bosch
St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots
Signed
Akeem Jordan
Barbados Royals
Drafted
Dwaine Pretorious
Guyana Amazon Warriors
Signed
11. Eleventh Round Draft Pick ($10,000)
Player
Team
Signed/Drafted/Retained
Raymon Reifer
Jamaica Tallawahs
Retained
Jeavor Royal
Saint Lucia Kings
Retained
Jayden Seales
Trinbago Knight Riders
Retained
Dewald Brevis
St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots
Signed
Rakheem Cornwall
Barbados Royals
Retained
Kevin Sinclair
Guyana Amazon Warriors
Drafted
12. Twelfth Round Draft Pick ($7,500)
Player
Team
Signed/Drafted/Retained
Amir Jangoo
Jamaica Tallawahs
Retained
Shadrack Descarte
Saint Lucia Kings
Drafted
Mark Deyal
Trinbago Knight Riders
Transferred
Jyd Goolie
St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots
Drafted
Donovan Ferreira
Barbados Royals
Signed
Keemo Paul
Guyana Amazon Warriors
Retained
13. Thirteenth Round Draft Pick ($5,000)
Player
Team
Signed/Drafted/Retained
Steven Taylor
Jamaica Tallawahs
Drafted
Khary Pierre
Saint Lucia Kings
Transferred
*Did not sign
Trinbago Knight Riders
Signed
Izaharulhaq Naveed
St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots
Signed
Justin Greaves
Barbados Royals
Retained
Chandrapaul Hemraj
Guyana Amazon Warriors
Retained
14. Fourteeenth Round Draft Pick ($4,000)
Player
Team
Signed/Drafted/Retained
Shamar Springer
Jamaica Tallawahs
Retained
Leonardo Julien
Saint Lucia Kings
Drafted
Chadwick Walton
Trinbago Knight Riders
Drafted
Kofi James
St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots
Drafted
Joshua Bishop
Barbados Royals
Retained
Ronsford Beaton
Guyana Amazon Warriors
Drafted
15. Fifteenth Round Draft Pick ($3,000)
Player
Team
Signed/Drafted/Retained
Nicholson Gordon
Jamaica Tallawahs
Retained
Matthew Forde
Saint Lucia Kings
Retained
Terrence Hinds
Trinbago Knight Riders
Drafted
Joshua Da Silva
St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots
Retained
Nyeem Young
Barbados Royals
Retained
Kevlon Anderson
Guyana Amazon Warriors
Drafted
16. Emerging Players (Rounds 16 & 17)
Player
Team
Signed/Drafted/Retained
Kirk McKenzie, Joshua James
Jamaica Tallawahs
Retained, Retained
Kimani Melius, McKenny Clarke
Saint Lucia Kings
Drafted, Retained
Kadeem Alleyne, Jaden Carmichael
Trinbago Knight Riders
Drafted, Drafted
Ashmead Nedo, Johann Layne
St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots
Drafted, Drafted
Rivaldo Clarke, Ramon Simmonds
Barbados Royals
Drafted, Retained
Matthew Nandu, Junior Sinclair
Guyana Amazon Warriors
Retained, Retained
Final Thoughts
The CPL have revived Caribbean cricket financially, but what can be done to revive West Indies cricket in general?
Are the CPL salaries good enough to incentivize growth in West Indies cricket?
Why or why not? Comment below, would love to know about your thoughts!
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Salary of Caribbean Premier League (CPL) player
What is the average salary for a Caribbean Premier League (CPL) player in the West Indies?
The average salary of a Caribbean Premier League (CPL) player is $45,882 (maximum 17 players in squad with a maximum purse of $780,000). Hence, the maximum salary cap for the entire CPL was $4.68 million for a maximum of 102 players, divided among 6 teams.
Is Caribbean Premier League (CPL) the richest cricket league in the world?
No, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is the richest cricket league in the world. The CPL is the ninth richest cricket league in the world (based on average player salary).
How much money does Kieron Pollard make in the CPL in the West Indies?
Kieron Pollard makes $160,000 in the CPL in the West Indies
Who was the most expensive player in the CPL 2023 draft?
Imad Wasim, Faf du Plessis, Kieron Pollard, Evin Lewis, Rovman Powell, and Imran Tahir were the most expensive players in the CPL 2023 draft at $160,000. These signings were mixtures of overseas signings, trades/transfers, and retentions.
Caribbean Premier League (CPL 2021)—The party is back in town once again!
The West Indies have just finished a marathon 14 game home T20I season against South Africa, Australia, and Pakistan.
It is now time for the domestic West Indies T20 league and for fringe players to make their cases. In the first 3 days of CPL 2021, we have had so many great moments—Dre Russ’s 14-ball 50, TKR already losing a game, Faf’s comeback from concussion, Sherfane Rutherford’s magnificent form, Tims (David & Seifert) having breakout seasons, and experienced Amir-Udana-Rampaul-Tahir topping the bowling charts so far. If you haven’t been watching, this is time to switch your TVs back on, especially with the T20 World Cup approaching soon.
Here is everything you need to know about CPL 2021.
Barbados Tridents & Saint Lucia Zouks no more, we now have Barbados Royals (from Rajasthan Royals) & Saint Lucia Kings (from Punjab Kings).
The Indian Premier League is slowly taking over the world.
*Teams highlighted in their respective jersey colors
Trinbago Knight Riders
West Indies Internationals: Kieron Pollard (C), Darren Bravo, Lendl Simmons, Sunil Narine, Denesh Ramdin (WK), Ravi Rampaul, Jayden Seales, Akeal Hosein, Khary Pierre, Anderson Phillip
West Indies Domestic: Leonardo Julien (WK), Tion Webster
Foreign Recruits: Ali Khan (USA), Colin Munro, Tim Seifert (NZ), Isuru Udana (SL), Yasir Shah (Pakistan)
Coaching Staff: Imran Jan
I am looking forward to the New Zealand duo Munro & Seifert along with the fast bowling trio – experienced Rampaul, promising Seales, & energetic Ali Khan.
Trinbago Knight Riders Expected XI:
Lendl Simmons, 2. Tim Seifert, 3. Colin Munro, 4. Darren Bravo, 5. Kieron Pollard, 6. Sunil Narine, 7. Denesh Ramdin, 8. Ravi Rampaul/Isuru Udana, 9. Jayden Seales, 10. Ali Khan, 11. Akeal Hosein
Barbados Royals
West Indies Internationals: Jason Holder (C), Johnson Charles (WK), Shai Hope (WK), Kyle Mayers, Ashley Nurse, Raymon Reifer, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr.
West Indies Domestic: Joshua Bishop, Justin Greaves, Nyeem Young
Foreign Recruits: Azam Khan – WK, Mohammad Amir (Pakistan), Jake Lintott (England), Smit Patel – WK (USA/ former India), Thisara Perera (Sri Lanka), Glenn Phillips – WK (New Zealand)
Coaching Staff: Trevor Penney
I am lookingforward to theforeign contingent. Jake Lintott had a successful Hundred season, Glenn Phillips & Azam Khan are power hitters, while Perera & Amir have reputation and experience on their side.
West Indies Internationals: Nicholas Pooran (WK/C), Shimron Hetmyer, Brandon King, Romario Shepherd, Kevin Sinclair, Chandrapaul Hemraj (6 ODIs), Odean Smith (2 T20I)
West Indies Domestic: Anthony Bramble (WK), Gudakesh Motie, Ashmead Nedd, Nial Smith
Foreign Recruits: Imran Tahir (South Africa), Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez (Pakistan), Naveen-ul-Haq (Afghanistan)
Coaching Staff: Rayon Griffith
I am looking forward to thedynamic between young & experience. While Pooran, Hetmyer, Shepher, & King have youth on their side, Hafeez, Malik, and Tahir are world class T20 match-winners.
West Indies Internationals: Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Andre Fletcher, Alzarri Joseph, Obed McCoy, Keemo Paul, Kesrick Williams
West Indies Domestic: Kadeem Alleyne, Keron Cottoy, Mark Deyal, Javelle Glen, Jeavor Royal
Foreign Recruits: Faf du Plessis – C (South Africa), Tim David (Singapore), Samit Patel (England), Usman Qadir, Wahab Riaz (Pakistan)
Coaching Staff: Andy Flower
I am looking forward to the West Indies internationals. Roston Chase, Cornwall, Kesrick Williams, Paul are not in the current T20I plan for the West Indies and Joseph, McCoy, and Paul are still on the fringes. This CPL season will show who gets in and who does not to the T20 World Cup squad. Also hope that Faf du Plessis has recovered from the concussion.
Saint Lucia Kings Expected XI:
Faf du Plessis, 2. Andre Fletcher, 3. Rahkeem Cornwall, 4. Roston Chase, 5. Tim David, 6. Samit Patel, 7. Keemo Paul, 8. Kesrick Williams, 9. Usman Qadir/Wahab Riaz, 10. Obed McCoy, 11. Alzarri Joseph
St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots
West Indies Internationals: Dwayne Bravo (C), Fabian Allen, Sheldon Cottrell, Joshua Da Silva (WK), Rayad Emrit, Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Sherfane Rutherford, Devon Thomas
West Indies Domestic: Colin Archibald, Dominic Drakes, Jon-Russ Jaggesar, Mikyle Louis
Foreign Recruits: Asif Ali (Pakistan), Ravi Bopara (England), Fawad Ahmed (Australia), Paul van Meekeren
Coaching Staff: Simon Helmot
I am looking forward to Evin Lewis & Fabian Allen. They have been the two standout performers in the last three home T20I series. Can they continue their good form?
St. Kitts & Patriots Expected XI:
Devon Thomas, 2. Evin Lewis, 3. Chris Gayle, 4. Sherfane Rutherford, 5. Ravi Bopara, 6. Asif Ali, 7. Joshua Da Silva, 8. Dwayne Bravo, 9. Fabian Allen, 10. Fawad Ahmed, 11. Sheldon Cottrell
Jamaica Tallawahs
West Indies Internationals: Rovman Powell (C), Carlos Brathwaite, Andre Russell, Shamarh Brooks, Fidel Edwards, Jason Mohmammed, Veerasammy Permaul, Chadwick Walton (WK)
Foreign Recruits: Haider Ali (Pakistan), Ryan Persaud (USA), Migael Pretorius (South Africa), Qais Ahmad (Afghanistan)
Coaching Staff: Floyd Reifer
I am looking forward to the star-studded lower middle order—Powell, Brathwaite, and Russell. 255/5 in their opening game already shows the potential of this team.
Jamaica Tallawahs Expected XI:
Chadwick Walton (WK), 2. Kennar Lewis, 3. Haider Ali, 4. Shamarh Brooks, 5. Rovmann Powell, 6. Andre russell, 7. Carlos Brathwaite, 8. Chris Green, 9. Veerasammy Permaul, 10. Fidel Edwards, 11. Qais Ahmed
Key Match Ups To Watch Out For
Huge CPL season ahead for Andre Fletcher – The Spice Man came back to the West Indies T20I side on a back of a good BBL and Big Bash tournament. However, his form in the international arena dropped off. Johnson Charles & Brandon King are contenders for the reserve opener spot if Fletcher does not have a good show here.
Warriors show glimpse of West Indies’ future – Brandon King, Pooran, Hetmyer, Romario Shepherd, Kevin Sinclair may form the core of a future West Indies team without Gayle, Pollard, or Bravo.
Can Trinbago Knight Riders do it again? Last season TKR won 12 games on a trot to dominate CPL 2020. With a similar composition of their squad, can they make it 5 trophies?
Caribbean Premier League 2021 Predictions
Finally here are my predictions.
My prediction for the team to lift the CPL 2021 trophy is….Jamaica Tallawahs with the Top 4 of Guyana Amazon Warriors, St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots, and Trinbago Knight Riders.
Most Runs: Evin Lewis
Most Wickets: Obed McCoy
Emerging Player: Rohail Nazir
Surprise Package: Tim David/Jake Lintott
Broken Cricket Dream: Final CPL edition for Shoaib Malik?
Here were my Caribbean Premier League – CPL 2021 Predictions. What did you think? What are YOUR predictions? Comment Below!
Since MS Dhoni’s men lifted the inaugural T20I World Cup trophy in 2007, the Indian cricket team has failed to reach those heights again in the T20 format.
Indian Premier League is cricket world’s most lucrative and competitive tournament, providing Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) the monopoly to dominate cricket politics. Its influence has reached such an extent that England is even proposing to host the remainder of the IPL by reducing the 5-Test series, but that is another story.
While IPL’s brand has hit the ceiling over the past decade, the quality of the Indian international T20I team has remained stagnant.
One of the main reasons is BCCI’s reluctance to let Indian cricketers play in foreign leagues—the Hundred, CPL, BBL, BPL, PSL, Abu Dhabi T10 among others.
1. The Argument – Out of Favor Players Need an Outlet
India is sending separate squads for the England Test tour and Sri Lanka limited-overs series, an insight into the future.
Separate squads for different formats mean more international spots for domestic players. Yet, fringe players have limited opportunities. Out-of-favor players should have multiple outlets to stake a claim or regain lost spots.
Players looking to break into the Indian Test squad usually grind it out in Ranji Trophy or county cricket, but what about limited overs specialists? How about domestic stalwarts without an IPL contract but can provide value overseas? Or consider Kuldeep Yadav’s case, who has been warming the bench for two seasons.
If you rest, you rust.
Rather than wait an entire year for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and IPL, these cricketers could sharpen their skills overseas. They would improve, become financially stable, and help BCCI learn more about them.
Win-win situation.
2. Retired Players
Yuvraj Singh had to retire from cricket altogether to qualify for a T10 tournament, while Harbhajan Singh and plenty of others were denied altogether in similar cases. Not a proper way to treat legends.
In 2007, Australia’s greatest era was coming to an end with retirements of Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Shane Warne, & Glenn McGrath.
Their acquisition highlighted the early days of the IPL. Hayden was CSK’s mainstay (remember the Mongoose Bat?), Warne inspired Rajasthan Royals’ inaugural win, and Gilchrist did the same with Deccan Chargers in 2009.
Watson exemplifies these points. His Player of the Series performance in IPL 2008 reignited his flailing international career. Post-retirement, Watson regained form in PSL 2019 (Player of the Series), held prior to IPL 2019, which helped CSK in their run to the final.
3. Learn From the West Indies
West Indies just announced a blockbuster summer ahead. 4 Tests, 3 ODIs, and 15 T20Is, right in time for the T20 World Cup. The likes of Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, and Dwayne Bravo have returned. Consider this squad for a second:
Chris Gayle, 2. Evil Lewis, 3. Nicholas Pooran, 4. Shimron Hetmyer, 5. Kieron Pollard, 6. Andre Russell, 7. Jason Holder, 8. Dwayne Bravo, 9. Oshane Thomas, 10. Sheldon Cottrell, 11. Hayden Walsh Jr.
With Lendl Simmons, Andre Fletcher, Fabian Allen, Fidel Edwards, Akeal Hosein, & Obed McCoy on the sidelines and Sunil Narine yet to make his international comeback, this team is ready to complete their World Cup hattrick.
Benchmarking helps.
4. Match Practice and Pressure Situations
What is the secret sauce of this Caribbean generation?
In between World Cups, players employ their trade around the various leagues, gain valuable match practice in all conditions, simulate pressure situations, and experience playing with or against world-class opposition.
One can argue that West Indians were born for T20 format, but the same cannot be said about England.
Before 2015, England were adamant against the IPL and T20 leagues, except for Kevin Pietersen. Post the 2015 ODI World Cup debacle, they changed their thinking. The result? Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, and Jofra Archer had stellar seasons, became better limited overs players as a result, and England won the 2019 Cricket World Cup.
Radical change. Rapid strides.
5. The Solution
While injuries and players undervaluing internationals for T20 obligations are genuine concerns, there is a solution—implement a maximum cap of 2-3 leagues per year. This will ensure clarity in communication and provide time to obtain No-objection certificates (NOC), which will help cricketers manage commitments without giving up international dreams.
It does not have to be an all-or-nothing, but frankly the conversation needs to start somewhere.
Safeguarding the IPL brand is hurting India internationally.
IPL helped catapult India to the 2011 Cricket World Cup, but others have caught up. It is time BCCI let their players develop internationally if they have any chance in future T20 World Cups.
