Big update! 2 KKR stars set to join new team in 2026

For the upcoming edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Jamaica Kingsmen, a newly added franchise in the league, has reportedly confirmed two of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) stars as part of their CPL 2026 plans.

Jamaica Observer reported that Andre Russell and Rovman Powell have been selected to play for the Jamaica Kingsmen in this summer’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL). However, there is no official announcement regarding the signings yet. The announcement is expected to be made after next Friday.

A local media report confirmed the signings 

“The Jamaica Observer can confirm that Jamaican stars Andre Russell and Rovman Powell have been selected to play for the Jamaica Kingsmen in this summer’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL),” the news platform mentioned in their report.

“While an official announcement isn’t expected until next Friday, the Observer has learnt that Russell and Powell, currently with the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League, were the first two picks by new owners Kingsmen Sports Enterprise in the draft,” the report added further.

Andre Russell played a vital role for the Trinbago Knight Riders

Andre Russell is amongst the big names in the franchise league, who have claimed the CPL title twice, in 2013 and 2016, during an eight-year stint with the Jamaica Tallawahs. Later, the batting all-rounder joined hands with Trinbago Knight Riders and spent four seasons there before joining Jamaica Kingsmen ahead of CPL 2026.

Trinbago Knight Riders will play the upcoming Caribbean Premier League season as the defending champion. In 2025, Russell played a vital role for the Knight Riders behind their triumphant campaign. In 11 CPL 2025 matches and 8 innings, the middle-order batter scored 89 runs in total and picked up 12 wickets. With the bat, surely it wasn't Russell’s best performance, but he supported the team with his bowling efforts.

Read More: IPL 2026: Another injury blow for CSK? Crucial updates after DC clash

Currently, he is with the Kolkata Knight Riders, working as a ‘power coach’ for the ongoing IPL 2026 campaign. The 38-year-old announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League as the legend of KKR and will stay with them as a member of the coaching staff.

Rovman Powell showed his class for the Barbados Royals in CPL 2025

Rovman Powell is also a key part of the Kolkata Knight Riders. He has batted for KKR in 5 innings in IPL 2026 to score 121 runs, averaging 40.33 and a strike rate of 134.44.

Powell’s batting stats in CPL 2025 were eye-catching. For the Barbados Royals, the middle-order batter scored 241 runs in 9 innings with a strike rate of 183.96 and a batting average of 48.20. Powell departs the Barbados Royals and rejoins the Jamaican franchise as captain after leaving in 2023, having won two titles. Kingsmen will hope to see another impactful season from his blade in the upcoming season.

It is also reported that Kingsmen has made their picks because of the special draft system, which allows the franchise to make signings in the draft.