The countdown to the 2026 Caribbean Premier League Draft is underway, with all six franchises having confirmed their mandatory pre-draft player retentions. According to Antigua News Room, each team has secured a single Breakout Player ahead of the draft, including the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, who have retained local talent Joshua James.
Under CPL's 2026 player acquisition rules, each franchise is permitted to retain just one player before the draft, and that selection must come exclusively from the Breakout Player category. The six young cricketers chosen have earned their places through impressive performances and rapidly growing reputations across regional cricket.
The full list of retained Breakout Players is as follows: Joshua James (Antigua and Barbuda Falcons), Ramon Simmonds (Barbados Royals), Quentin Sampson (Guyana Amazon Warriors), Navin Bidaisee (St Kitts and Nevis Patriots), Ackeem Auguste (St Lucia Kings), and Nathan Edward (Trinbago Knight Riders).
The CPL's investment in homegrown talent extends beyond the retention list. Each franchise must name three Breakout Players in their final 2026 squad, ensuring a consistent pipeline of young Caribbean cricketers competing on the region's biggest stage. Additionally, every team is required to field at least one Breakout Player in each match during the season, guaranteeing these rising stars meaningful game time against elite competition.
With pre-draft retentions now locked in across all six franchises, attention turns to the upcoming CPL Draft, where teams will fill their remaining squad positions. League officials have described the upcoming selection process as one of the most competitive and exciting in CPL history. The draft order and date are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
