Prior to the CPL 2024 season, Dwayne Bravo revealed that he would retire from the league following the current campaign. He made his final appearance against the defending champions, Guyana Amazon Warriors, at the Queen’s Park Oval. As he played what appeared to be his last CPL match, Bravo was honored with a guard of honor. This gesture marked the end of an era for the veteran cricketer, celebrating his contributions to the league and acknowledging his impact on the sport.
Dwayne Bravo Got Guard of Honor:
Dwayne Bravo has participated in only two matches this season, with his game against the defending champions, Guyana Amazon Warriors, at Queen’s Park Oval potentially being his final appearance. Andre Russell, who won the Player-of-the-Match award, hinted at this possibility and dedicated his accolade to his close friend.
The atmosphere in Trinidad was electric as fans flocked to the stadium on Wednesday to honor one of T20 cricket’s legends. The overwhelming support underscored Bravo’s impact and legacy in the CPL, making the occasion a poignant celebration of his remarkable career in the league.
Russell said, “ I’m just happy to be part of this game tonight and that’s the reason why so much emotion was kind of behind that celebration. He [Bravo] deserves a win tonight. You have helped me a lot with my cricket – how to outthink the batter and then to be a smarter bowler. You’re not going to get it right all the time but once you have the right mindset to get the execution, I think you’re on the right way.”
He added, “ We’re going to miss him but I hope he is still going to be around for the rest of the tournament. But he’s definitely one we all listen to and we all look up to and you know he might shed a bit of tears tonight inside the changing room, but I appreciate him.”
The TKR team and support staff appeared to acknowledge that this could have been Bravo’s last CPL match. They paid tribute by donning his No. 47 jersey and offering him a guard of honor as he took to the field. This gesture reflected their respect and admiration for Bravo, marking the occasion with a heartfelt farewell.
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Bravo dismissed Keemo Paul for 3 and took a sharp slip catch to remove Tim Robinson for 34. During the innings break, he took a celebratory ride around Queen’s Park Oval on a cart, signing cricket balls and tossing them into the crowd. This gesture added a personal touch to his potential final appearance, memorably connecting with fans.
Dwayne Bravo’s Journey with Trinbago Knight Riders:
Dwayne Bravo stands as the most accomplished player in CPL history, having secured five titles, including three with TKR. He guided TKR to consecutive championships in 2017 and 2018 and later led the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots to their maiden title in 2021. Bravo played a pivotal role in establishing the Trinidad franchise from the ground up before Kieron Pollard succeeded him as captain.
As the Trinidad leg of the tournament commenced, Pollard paid tribute to Bravo’s significant contributions to TKR’s success. His leadership and impact on the team were recognized and celebrated, reflecting Bravo’s enduring legacy in the league.
Pollard said, “ The impact has been fantastic and tremendous in terms of the individuals he has brought to the franchise from all over the world. At one point an Australian coach in Simon Helmot, he won a championship with him, to the local support staff who have been here since the inception. Persons who are well recognised in Trinidad & Tobago and the Caribbean. We have Ruel Rigsby, the physio, and Kelly Sankar [massage therapist], who has been here since the inception and Sheldon [Sewnarine] who is one of the logistics guys.”
He added, “ So these are the people who he would’ve put and trusted in supporting roles for him and bringing excellent cricketers of generations – Jacques Kallis, Brendon McCullum and Johan Bothas of the world – and our own icons in Darren Bravos and Denesh Ramdins and understanding what’s needed to build a cricket team. I think he has done a fantastic job and there’s no better place to finish his cricketing career in the Caribbean than TKR, a team he has built.”
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