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The T20 season is upon us. While the Caribbean Premier League will set the ball rolling on August 26, it will be followed by the Indian Premier League and later by the T20 World Cup. The Caribbean league will be the ninth edition of the tournament and will culminate with the final on September 15. Given that there is the T20 World Cup lined up, this will also be a good chance for Windies players to make their presence felt and perhaps impress the selectors for a place in the national squad.
Ahead of the start of the tournament, here is a list of 5 players who are full of promise and potential and would look to have a breakthrough season in the competition to break into the West Indies T20I XI.
1. Brandon King
The stylish opener could have a critical season in CPL ahead. While he did impress one and all by finishing CPL 2019 as the highest run-scorer with close to 500 runs in 12 matches at a healthy strike rate, he has struggled for form ever since. In fact, he scored just 116 runs in 11 matches last year and all the hard work he had done which was rewarded with a place in the West Indies team became undone. He even failed to leave a mark in international cricket. CPL 2021 will be the tournament he would be eyeing to get back into form.
2. Obed McCoy
While Brandon's eyeing a return to form, the thing that makes Obed McCoy the player to watch out for is his recent impressive performances in 2021. The left-arm pacer has been spot on with his variations especially the slower ball which could be a key in UAE conditions where the T20 World Cup is set to happen. He has taken 18 wickets in 10 T20s this year and would look to carry the momentum into CPL and later into the T20 World Cup.
3. Chris Gayle
Chris Gayle is arguably the greatest batter in T20 history. Even at 41 years of age, Gayle is going strong and time and again plays a mind-blowing innings that just lifts the spirit of the team up. The Universal Boss will also feature for the Punjab Kings in IPL 2021 after CPL and his form in CPL could determine whether he walks into the XI or not. It could well be a season full of ‘Gayle Storms’ for all we know.
4. Sunil Narine
Mystery spinner Sunil Narine hasn't been at his best either with the bat or ball. He was even dropped from the Kolkata Knight Riders playing XI. How he performs for the Trinbago Knight Riders in the upcoming season, especially with the ball in hand, may go on to determine the balance of the side KKR might be looking at for the remaining fixtures of IPL 2021.
5. Jayden Seales
Watch out for Jayden Seales who recently became the youngest West Indian bowler to pick a Test five-fer. The right-arm pacer has a solid build and is a street smart cricketer emerging from the Caribbean Islands. He has already picked 13 wickets in his first three Tests and would look to make a similar impact in the CPL, playing for the Trinbago Knight Riders.