While thousands of people flocked to commemorate one of Trinidad’s greatest T20 heroes in what may have been his final CPL match on Wednesday, Andre Russell captured the incredible emotions of the island nation. “This is for DJ Bravo”, Russell said.
Dwayne Bravo declared prior to the CPL 2024 season that he would retire from the league at the conclusion of the current campaign. However, he has only participated in two games this season, and Russell implied that the one against the Guyana Amazon Warriors, the reigning champions, at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of-Spain may have been his last after he won Player-of-the-Match and dedicated it to his close friend.
“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,” Russell said after Trinbago Knight Riders beat Amazon Warriors by five wickets. “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.
“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.”
Russell, who has collaborated with Bravo on 130 games—74 of which have been for the West Indies—spoke highly of the influence Bravo has had on his own career. “I think me being who I am today, Bravo has a lot to do with it,” Russell stated. “I used to wicketkeep, then I started bowling and batting at No.10, No.11 and 9. Watching him play in Test cricket for West Indies – bowling good pace, fielding and diving and all those things, and then when he comes to bat, he gets the job done.”
Bravo was given a guard of honor before the game and the other TKR players and support staff appeared to imply that this might have been his last CPL encounter. The players honored him by wearing his No. 47 shirt.
Bravo dismissed Tim Robinson for 34 after taking Keemo Paul for 3 and making a brilliant grab at slip. Then he made his way around the Queen’s Park Oval on a cart signing balls and launching them into the stands during the innings break.
Bravo has won five titles in all, including three with TKR, making him the most decorated player in the CPL. Before leading the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots to their first championship in 2021, he captained TKR to back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018. Prior to Kieron Pollard joining TKR and unsetting Bravo as captain, he played a crucial role in starting the Trinidad franchise from scratch.
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