“The biggest party in sport” is correct: the Hero Caribbean Premier League is cause for excitement throughout the region, it gives Caribbean fans something to look forward to in the midst of the continued slide of West Indies cricket, as it provides yet another host for existing—while also giving rise to—new rivalries. Yet, the ultimate purpose of the competition is to develop West Indian talent. And following the just concluded 7th edition of the tournament, it is safe to say that the CPL is doing its job.
There is a current crop of young talent (this generation), specifically in limited overs cricket, that the Caribbean has not seen in such an abundance since the initial dominance of the infamous West Indian mercenaries, who conquered T20 leagues around the world. And while several members of this generation emerged from that triumphant 2016 Under-19 World Cup team, there is no doubt that the CPL is what has provided one of the main stages for their ongoing growth, especially the uncapped players.
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