The Royals Sports Group which owns Rajasthan Royals have struck a major deal as they have now acquired a Caribbean Premier League side – the Barbados Tridents. They have acquired a majority stake in the franchise and hence, the two-time CPL champions will now be called the Barbados Royals.
EM Sporting Holdings Ltd, the present owners of Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, have ventured into the Caribbean Premier League market, investing a large chunk into the Barbados franchise in the league. The Barbados Tridents will now be renamed as the Barbados Royals.
Barbados became the third team in the CPL to have a stake-holder from the IPL. Trinbago Knight Riders and St Lucia Zouks are the other two sides which have stake-holders involved in the IPL as well.
Manoj Badale, the lead owner of the Royals and Chairperson of the Royal Sports Group, was excited with the new signing. He also thanked the Barbados government for their support and he feels this is an ‘important strategic step’.
We are delighted to have signed this deal with Manish Patel, to acquire a majority stake in the Barbados CPL franchise. We are extremely grateful to the Barbados government for their continued support, and we look forward to making a positive impact on both cricket and tourism for the country. We have ambitious plans for the Royals brand globally, and this is an important strategic step.
he was quoted saying.
The Barbados side are two-time champions in the CPL. They first won the title in 2014 and that team was led by Kieron Pollard. They repeated the feat in 2019 under the captaincy of Jason Holder. The latter will continue to be the captain of the side in 2021.
However, he will have Kumar Sangakkara by his side. The Sri Lankan legend who is the director of cricket for RR will don the same role with the Barbados side.
The ninth edition of the CPL is all set to kickstart on August 26 and the final will be played on September 15 before the players fly out to take part in the second half of the 2021 season of the IPL. St Kitts is going to host the entire season of the CPL.
Barbados Royals will play their first game against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots on the August 26, but it will be the second game of the day.
