CPL launches Hall of Fame to honour its icons

From Chris Gayle’s 47 not out that helped Jamaica Tallawahs secure the inaugural CPL title in 2013 to Trinbago Knight Riders’ blistering 267-2, still the highest total in tournament history, the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has spent the last 13 years producing moments that have defined Caribbean cricket. Now, those moments, and the people behind them, are set to receive permanent recognition.

The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League has announced the launch of the CPL Hall of Fame, a new annual honour created to recognise the players and individuals who have helped define the tournament’s success since its inception in 2013.

The Hall of Fame will induct two honourees each year: one player and one individual who has made a monumental impact on the competition off the field. The awards will celebrate performances, leadership, and contributions that have helped establish the CPL as one of the most popular T20 franchise competitions in world cricket.

Since Gayle powered the Tallawahs past Guyana Amazon Warriors in the inaugural final at Queen’s Park Oval, the CPL has produced a host of memorable performances and records. Dwayne Bravo has claimed wickets and titles throughout the tournament’s history, and Tim Seifert and Andre Russell share the record for the competition’s fastest century, both reaching three figures from just 53 deliveries. Shakib Al Hasan also produced the best bowling figures in CPL history with a remarkable 6-6, and Trinbago Knight Riders went unbeaten during the 2020 season on their way to becoming the tournament’s first three-time champions before later extending that tally to five titles.

Since its launch in 2013, the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League has grown into a cornerstone of Caribbean sport, showcasing local and international talent across the region while attracting fans from around the globe. The introduction of the Hall of Fame provides a permanent platform to recognise the players and individuals who have helped shape that legacy.

“CPL has given us 13 years of moments people still talk about — Gayle in 2013, Pollard’s record-breaking 18th title, Dwayne Bravo’s wickets and wins, and nights nobody who was there will forget. The Hall of Fame is how we make sure those moments, and the people who created them, are never lost. As we head into our second decade, it’s time to give this tournament’s history a permanent home,” said Pete Russell, CPL chief executive officer.

The inaugural Hall of Fame gala dinner will be held in Barbados on Tuesday, September 15, bringing together members of the Caribbean cricket fraternity and West Indies legends to celebrate some of the tournament’s greatest achievements.

Proceeds from the event will support the Sir Clive Lloyd Healthcare Foundation, which is working to raise awareness of prostate cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths among men in the Caribbean, and improve access to testing and early detection across the region through initiatives such as the Great Catch campaign.

The CPL Hall of Fame will become an annual celebration, with future inductees to be announced ahead of each gala dinner. Organisers expect the event to grow into a key fixture on the CPL calendar, honouring the tournament’s rich history while supporting causes that are important to the Caribbean community.

The first two inductees into the CPL Hall of Fame will be announced in the coming weeks.