CPL 2025: Nicholas Pooran Named Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) Captain After Kieron Pollard Steps Down
Nicholas Pooran takes over as TKR captain from Kieron Pollard ahead of CPL 2025 season.
Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) have announced Nicholas Pooran as their new captain for the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2025 season. Pooran will take over from Kieron Pollard, who led the team since 2019 and now steps aside to allow a smooth leadership change.
Pooran is only the third captain in TKR history, after DJ Bravo and Pollard. Bravo, now the team’s head coach, captained 70 matches with 43 wins, while Pollard led 67 matches, winning 39, and lifted the team to their first title in 2020.
Pooran, who debuted for TKR in 2013, has played 50 matches, scoring 1,112 runs at a strike rate of 155.30.
“It means a lot to represent Trinbago Knight Riders,” Pooran said. “It is a privilege to lead this franchise. I want to give it my best and make as many correct decisions as I can. Pollard, Sunil Narine, and Andre Russell are still here, and I can bank on their experience. To lead them on the field – it means a lot to me.”
Pooran recently retired from international cricket, freeing him to focus on T20 leagues. He had an impressive 2024 CPL season, scoring 504 runs in 11 matches.
Pollard said leading TKR for six years was special. With Bravo as head coach, he felt it was the right time to hand over captaincy. He added that Pooran had been groomed for the role.
Venky Mysore, CEO of Knight Rider Sports, welcomed the transition, calling it smooth and well-planned. Bravo also highlighted that leadership changes should be prepared in advance, as he had done when passing the captaincy to Pollard in 2019.
The stage is now set for Pooran to steer TKR, backed by a mix of experienced stars and his own aggressive batting style, as the team looks to chase more CPL glory.
