Dwayne Bravo has played his final game in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). At nearly 41 years old, he intended to retire after the 2024 season. However, a groin injury during a match against the St Lucia Kings has cut his career short before the playoffs.
Bravo injured himself while trying to catch a ball hit by Faf du Plessis in the seventh over. He left the field immediately and didn’t bowl in what became his last CPL appearance. He came back to bat at No. 11 in a challenging chase of 219 runs, facing just one ball before he had to leave the field again, visibly emotional.
Captain’s Comments
Kieron Pollard, the captain of the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR), commented on Bravo’s injury after the game. He said, “When he got hurt, it looked serious. Him coming to bat was not just about winning but also to check how bad the injury was. We hope this isn’t the end for him, and we want to thank him for everything he’s done for cricket and Trinidad & Tobago.”
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Other Injuries on TKR
In addition to Bravo, TKR missed Sunil Narine due to a quad strain, which is believed to be less severe than Bravo’s injury, and he is expected to return soon. Andre Russell, who had a hamstring issue at the tournament’s start, managed to bowl two overs on Tuesday.
Pollard took on more responsibility by bowling all his overs for the first time in the CPL since 2022. He explained, “I had to step up with DJ injured and Russell not fully fit. It’s a good thing that we have qualified for the playoffs, but we still need to improve our bowling.”
Du Plessis’ Tribute
After Bravo’s injury, Faf du Plessis, who has played with Bravo in various leagues, shared his thoughts. He said, “It’s sad to see DJ finish like this. He’s someone I’ve admired for a long time. The people at home must be very proud of his contributions to cricket in the Caribbean. I wish I could have given him a proper send-off, clapping him off the field, but I was just trying to manage in the heat.”
Bravo is the most successful player in CPL history, with five titles, including three with TKR. He captained TKR to back-to-back championships in 2017 and 2018 and led the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots to their first title in 2021.
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