Bravo, Bishop the first for CPL’s Hall of Fame

The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) yesterday confirmed Dwayne Bravo and Ian Bishop as the inaugural inductees into the newly established CPL Hall of Fame.

Bravo becomes the first player to be inducted, while Bishop has been recognised in the non-player category for his contribution to the tournament’s success since its launch in 2013.

The pair will make history as the Hall of Fame’s first inductees and will be honoured at a gala dinner at the Hilton Hotel in Barbados on September 15. The event will bring together some of the biggest names in West Indies cricket to celebrate a tournament that has become a source of immense regional pride and one of the Caribbean cricket calendar’s marquee occasions.

Proceeds from the evening will go to the Sir Clive Lloyd Healthcare Foundation to support its efforts to raise awareness of, and improve testing for, prostate cancer across the Caribbean.

Bravo is regarded as one of the players who helped shape the global T20 game and establish the CPL as one of the world’s leading franchise tournaments. Widely considered among the format’s greatest players, the Trinidadian all-rounder won more than 15 T20 titles worldwide during an 18-year career, including ICC Men’s T20 World Cup triumphs with West Indies in 2012 and 2016.

His honours also include multiple Indian Premier League titles with Chennai Super Kings, as well as success in both the Big Bash League and Pakistan Super League. Bravo was the first bowler in T20 history to reach 500 wickets.

In the CPL, he is the tournament’s third-highest wicket-taker with 129 wickets and its most decorated player. He won five CPL titles as a player, with Trinbago Knight Riders in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2020, and St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in 2021, before adding a sixth title as head coach when he guided Trinbago Knight Riders to the championship in 2025.

“It’s a real honour to be the first player inducted into the CPL Hall of Fame. This tournament has been a huge part of my career, and I will always treasure every title I’ve won here. I’ve played cricket all over the world, but there’s nothing like playing at home. CPL is a true celebration of Caribbean culture and the game I love,” said Bravo.

Bishop has long been the voice of Caribbean cricket, delivering some of the sport’s most memorable commentary.

When Carlos Brathwaite struck four consecutive sixes to seal victory for West Indies in the 2016 ICC World T20 final, it was Bishop’s now-iconic call, “Carlos Brathwaite! Remember the name!”, that transformed a dramatic finish into one of cricket’s most unforgettable moments.

However, that is just one of countless occasions on which his words have brought the game to life. His passion for cricket, and for the CPL, has played a vital role in the tournament’s growth as he continues to tell the stories that resonate with fans across the world.

“Cricket has given me so much, and commentary has allowed me to give something back to a game and a region I love deeply. To be inducted into this inaugural CPL Hall of Fame class, and to be recognised for the stories I’ve had the privilege of telling, is an honour I’ll carry with me always. This tournament has always represented something bigger than the sport itself; it’s a stage for Caribbean talent, culture and pride, and I’m grateful to have had a courtside seat to its history,” said Bishop.

The gala will bring together players, coaches, broadcasters, franchise owners and partners who have shaped the CPL’s story over more than a decade. It will also celebrate the tournament’s history in Barbados, which has hosted some of its most iconic moments.

CPL Chief Executive Officer Pete Russell said: “Dwayne Bravo and Ian Bishop have both been central to CPL’s story since day one: Dwayne as one of the greatest match-winners this tournament has ever seen, and Ian is the voice who has brought that story to fans across the world. It is only right that they are the first names in our Hall of Fame, and fitting that we celebrate them ahead of our final. We are also delighted to be able to support Sir Clive Lloyd, another West Indies legend, on his journey to raise awareness of prostate cancer across the region.”

The CPL Hall of Fame will become an annual feature, with future inductees to be announced ahead of each tournament. The event is expected to become a major highlight of the CPL calendar, honouring the competition’s past while supporting causes that matter across the Caribbean.