Groin injury ends Dwayne Bravo's CPL career prematurely
Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has suffered a groin injury which will put a premature end to his Caribbean Premier League 2024 campaign. Bravo was planning to retire after the ongoing edition of the CPL. The former West Indies captain suffered the injury during the fixture against Saint Lucia Kings in Tarouba on Tuesday while fielding.
The incident occurred in the seventh over of the innings when Bravo attempted to take the catch of the opposition captain Faf du Plessis. He left the field immediately and didn't bowl in what turned out to be the veteran's final CPL game. The seam-bowling all-rounder returned to bat at No.11, but walked off fighting tears after facing only one delivery.
After the game, TKR skipper Kieron Pollard said the injury looked pretty serious and that Bravo is mentally not in a good space at the moment. Nevertheless, the Trinidadian lauded his fellow teammate for his enormous contributions to the sport. 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 part of CPL since 2013 and has featured in 107 matches, scoring 1155 runs alongside a couple of half-centuries. He is also the leading wicket-taker in the tournament history with 129 wickets.
"Sad to see DJ Bravo finishing in that way" - Faf du Plessis
Du Plessis, who has played alongside the West Indian in the IPL and MLC, hailed Bravo for being one of the greatest servants to the sport. He said:
"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 currently fourth in the CPL standings, having won five out of eight matches.