Russell and TKR paid tribute to CPL legend Bravo

In what may have been his final CPL match, Andre Russell captured the intense emotions felt by the Queen’s Park Oval fans on Wednesday as they flocked in large numbers to honour one of their greatest T20 heroes.

Dwayne Bravo declared ahead of time that he will leave the league after the conclusion of the current campaign, CPL 2024. But he’s only played in two games this season, and Russell hinted that the one at Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of-Spain against the Guyana Amazon Warriors, the reigning champions, might have been his last. Russell made this suggestion after winning Player-of-the-Match and dedicated it to his close friend.

Russell remarked, “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,” following Trinbago Knight Riders’ five-wicket victory against Amazon Warriors. “He [Bravo] ought to triumph this evening. Your advice on outwitting the batsman and being a more astute bowler has greatly aided me in my cricket game. You won’t always do things perfectly, but as long as you have the correct perspective, I believe you’re headed in the right direction.

“He will be missed, but hopefully he will be around for the remainder of the tournament.” Even though he might cry a little bit in the locker room tonight, I still think highly of him and he’s someone we all look up to.”

Andre Russell talked highly of Bravo’s influence on his own career, having played 130 matches with him, including 74 for the West Indies.

“I think me being who I am today, Bravo has a lot to do with it,” stated Russell. “I was a wicketkeeper for a while before switching to bowling and batting at Nos. 10, 11, and 9. He bowls with good pace, fields well, dives, and does all the other things when playing Test cricket for the West Indies, and when he bats, he does a great job.”

What an entrance by the CHAMPION! #CPL #TKRvGAW #BiggestPartyInSport #CricketPlayedLouder pic.twitter.com/4hR5DreFId

— CPL T20 (@CPL) September 18, 2024

Bravo was given a guard of honour before the game and the other TKR players and support staff appeared to imply that this might have been his last CPL encounter. Bravo was also given 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 was transported 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 unsitting Bravo as captain, he played a crucial role in starting the Trinidad franchise from scratch. Prior to the commencement of the tournament’s Trinidad leg, Pollard also celebrated Bravo’s contribution to TKR’s triumph.

Aura pic.twitter.com/R3Skzxb95U

— Trinbago Knight Riders (@TKRiders) September 19, 2024

“With regard to the people he has brought to the franchise from all over the world, the impact has been fantastic and tremendous,” Pollard said of Bravo in an interview with Radio 90.5 FM. “The local support staff who have been here since the beginning was once led by an Australian coach named Simon Helmot, who helped win a championship. Notable individuals in the Caribbean and in Trinidad & Tobago. Along with Kelly Sankar, a massage therapist who has been with us since the beginning, and Sheldon Sewnarine, one of the logistical men, we have Ruel Rigsby, the physical therapist.

“Jacques Kallis, Brendon McCullum, Johan Botha, and other legendary cricketers, along with our own heroes, Darren Bravos and Denesh Ramdins, are the people he would have put and trusted to play supporting roles for him and bring great cricketers of generations and understand what it takes to build a cricket team.