‌DJ Bravo set to sign off from CPL

ByArijit Kundu, SportsCafe Editor

09/01/2024

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West Indies veteran Dwayne Bravo has confirmed his retirement from his home franchise tournament. The 40-year-old stated his desire to finish off from where his journey started and that the ongoing Caribbean Premier League might be the final assignment of his illustrious career spanning 22 years.

Dwayne Bravo is a part of the Trinbago Knight Riders in the ongoing CPL 2024, who kicked off the tournament on a high by peppering St Kitts and Nevis Patriots. The all-rounder has previously won five trophies in the Caribbean mega event - three with the Knight Riders, and one each with the Patriots and Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel.

"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 ppl...TKR is the place where everything started for me and will end with my team,” Bravo posted on Instagram.

The three-dimensional star led the Knight Riders to a couple of titles in 2017 and 18 while also being a part as player in their unbeaten run during the 2020 edition. The next year, Bravo was roped in by the Patriots and the all-rounder led the team to their maiden title in 2021.

Heaping praise on his captaincy, coach Simon Helmet talked about the difference in Bravo’s leadership with time.

"In 2021 [at St Kitts & Nevis Patriots], I saw a difference again from 2014-16. He wasn't just the captain, he was the ultimate leader."He's invested in our staff and players, he's invested in our ownership and the entire organization. Maybe that's due to him being involved with CSK and their strong organization. But I've seen this guy grow around 15 years now from being a quality captain, player, and now the whole gamut,” Helmet expressed.

In 103 CPL encounters, Bravo bagged 129 wickets with a bowling average of 22.40 and an economy of 8.69 thus far. He retired from the international setup after West Indies’ early exit in the 2021 T20 World Cup. Two years later, he called time on his exceptional IPL career to focus on other franchise tournaments across the world.

"We are so grateful that Dwayne has been a part of our tournament since its inception in 2013 and his contribution to making the league what it is today is immeasurable," he said in a statement. "The CPL has become known around the world as the biggest party in sport and Dwayne's enthusiasm and amazing personality has done as much as anyone to bring that to life. We are certain that 'Sir Champion' will continue to play a massive role in T20 cricket going forward and we wish him all the best in the next chapter,” Pete Russell, CEO of the CPL, paid tribute to Bravo.

Although the Trinidadian star will be participating in his last CPL, he has signed contracts with MI Emirates in the ILT20 league.