Dwayne Bravo, the all-rounder for Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR), has sustained a groin injury that will cut short his Caribbean Premier League 2024 season. He had intended to retire after this edition of the CPL. The former West Indies captain injured himself while fielding in a match against Saint Lucia Kings in Tarouba on Tuesday.
The episode took place in the seventh over of the innings when Bravo went for the catch of the opponent’s captain Faf du Plessis. Bravo was seen running off the field straight away and did not bowl in the veteran’s final CPL match. The seam-bowling all-rounder came in to bat later at position 11 but left the field in tears having only faced one ball.
Post-match, TKR captain Kieron Pollard remarked that the injury seemed quite serious and that Bravo is not in the right frame of mind. Admittedly in a positive manner, the Trinidadian praised the fellow player for the immense input in the game. He said, as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo:
“When he pulled up [injured], it looked pretty serious. Obviously him coming to bat [at No.11] is not just to win the game, but to know the extent of the injury. We’re not sure if this is going to be the end for him but overall from the team perspective we just want to tell him thank you very much for all that he has done for cricket, for Trinidad & Tobago for the wider world.”
“He’s been a charismatic person and has been inspiring throughout and just want to tell him thank you. He’s not in a good space right now but obviously he’s given everything that he has to cricket and cricket has rewarded him as well.”
The 40-year-old has been a member of the CPL since 2013 and has played 107 games, making 1155 runs and hitting two fifties. He is the all-time highest wicket-taker with 129 wickets in the tournament.
“It’s disappointing to see DJ Bravo ending his career like that”- Faf Du Plessis
Du Plessis, who has played alongside the West Indian in both the IPL and MLC, praised Bravo as one of the sport’s greatest contributors. He stated:
“Sad to see DJ Bravo finishing in that way. In my mind, he’s obviously someone that I’ve admired for a long time. Looks like it’s gonna be the end of his CPL. Just want to mention to him that what a player, what a career, what a man! The home people would be super proud with his cricket.”
“He’s done so much for everyone around the Caribbean. I would have liked to give him a nice send-off walking off the field, clapping him off. But as I said I was just trying to stay alive [in the Tarouba heat] at the back end. But I feel he [Bravo] needs a special mention.”
The Knight Riders are presently in fourth place in the CPL standings, with five victories out of eight matches.
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