Dwayne Bravo opens up on his role for the West Indies at the World T20
West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo feels he is more useful to the team as a bowler rather than with the bat and is hopeful that his side can emulate the 2012 World T20 success in the 2016 edition. The 32-year-old said that the T20 warm-up victory over Australia on Sunday has boosted the team morale considerably and is confident that West Indies can reach at least the semi-final stage of the tournament.
Bravo, considered one of the best death bowlers, especially in the T20 format, as he shown time and again with his performances for the Chennai Super Kings franchise in the IPL, said that variations were the key to his success as a bowler.
"I focus on my bowling a lot because most teams that I play for in T20 cricket rely on my bowling. Yes, my batting is important but they (the teams) rely on my bowling in the tough times and in death overs. Variation is key for my success. as a bowler." Bravo said, as quoted by the Times of India.
Bravo has mixed memories of the World T20 with the 2012 edition, producing one of the most memorable moments of his career as the West Indies defied all odds to clinch the World T20. The 2014 edition saw them reach the semi-final stage where they lost to eventual champions Sri Lanka and Bravo is hopeful that his side can, at least, reach that stage of the competition, yet again.
"The World Cup is always a great tournament to be in. I am very excited to be part of yet another World Cup. I was lucky enough to win one (World T20 in 2012). We lost in the semifinals in the last one (World T20 in 2014).
"For us as West Indies team we want to take one game at a time and want to obviously qualify from our group and take it from there," he said.
West Indies’ lost to India in their first warm-up game before triumphing against Australia in their next match and Bravo admitted that victory against the reigning World champions has given his side a huge boost.
"It (the win) has done a lot to our confidence. We had a two-week camp in Dubai, we won all our games there in Dubai. We came here and lost our first warm-up game against India and then to win last night, definitely puts us in a good place. You know Australia is one of the better teams in world cricket. So to beat them always give you that extra boost and confidence," Bravo said.
West Indies have no shortage of match-winners with the likes of Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard (who is unfortunately ruled out of the 2016 World T20 with injury), Samuel Badree and Bravo himself capable of winning matches for their sides single-handedly. However, Bravo singled out the destructive Chris Gayle as the one player whom the whole West Indies squad looked up to for inspiration.
"Chris enjoys playing for the West Indies team and we enjoy having Chris as a teammate. He is our leader, he is our hero. We all look up to him," Bravo said.