Bravo calls it a day

Dwayne Bravo, the highest wicket-taker ever in T20 cricket, has officially announced that he will retire from the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) following the conclusion of the current season.

The 40-year-old, who will celebrate his 41st birthday in October, made the announcement just hours before Trinbago Knight Riders’ (TKR) opening match of CPL 2024 against St Kitts & Nevis Patriots in Basseterre.

In an emotional Instagram post, Bravo shared his reflections on an illustrious career: “It’s been a great journey. This season will be my last one, and I’m looking forward to playing my final professional tournament in front of my Caribbean people. TKR is the place where everything started for me, and it will end with my team.”

These poignant words resonate deeply, particularly given that Bravo currently holds the record for the most wickets in CPL history, with 128 dismissals in 103 matches, boasting an average of 22.40 and an economy rate of 8.69.

Bravo’s retirement from the CPL comes almost three years after he stepped away from T20 International cricket, following the West Indies’ early exit from the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE.

In 2023, he also retired from the Indian Premier League (IPL) and transitioned into a coaching role, serving as the bowling coach for Chennai Super Kings, a team with which he has achieved significant success.

Within the CPL, Bravo’s legacy is unmatched. He is the tournament’s most decorated player, having won five titles, four with TKR and one with St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.

His leadership was instrumental in securing back-to-back championships for TKR in 2017 and 2018, and he further demonstrated his prowess by captaining the Patriots to their maiden title in 2021.

During the 2020 season, Bravo became the first player to reach 500 wickets in T20 cricket, a remarkable milestone achieved as TKR went unbeaten to claim the title amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beyond his on-field achievements, Bravo has been a vital mentor to young talents in various T20 leagues across the globe, particularly in the CPL. In the 2021 season, he played a key role in the development of all-rounder Dominic Drakes, who emerged as the Player of the Match in the CPL final.

Drakes has continued to benefit from Bravo’s mentorship in other leagues, including the IPL and T10 cricket.

CPL Chief Executive Officer Pete Russell captured Bravo’s impact, stating, “Dwayne’s enthusiasm and amazing personality have done as much as anyone to bring the CPL to life.”

While CPL 2024 marks the end of Bravo’s playing days on home soil, his cricketing journey is far from over. He will continue to compete in franchise leagues worldwide, including the ILT20 in the UAE and Major League Cricket in the USA, ensuring that his influence on the game endures.

Bravo was also part of both T20 World Cup wins for West Indies in 2012 and 2016 and in total played 91 T20Is for West Indies, scoring 1255 runs including four half centuries and taking 78 wickets. (JC)

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