Cricket

Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) have bolstered their squad for the remainder of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024 by signing local offspinner Bryan Charles as a replacement for the injured Dwayne Bravo.Bravo, a veteran all-rounder, announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Thursday after suffering a groin injury during TKR's match against St. Lucia Kings. The injury occurred while Bravo attempted to catch Kings' captain Faf du Plessis.Charles, 29, is a promising offspinner who plays for Trinidad & Tobago in domestic cricket. While he has yet to make his T20 debut, he has impressed with his red-ball skills. Earlier this year, he earned a call-up to the West Indies Test side for the home series against South Africa.In the West Indies four-day championship, Charles emerged as the leading wicket-taker for Trinidad & Tobago, claiming 31 wickets in seven games at an impressive average of 17. His tally included a career-best match haul of 13 wickets against Jamaica in Kingston in April.Charles' signing could provide cover for Sunil Narine, who has missed TKR's last three games due to a quad complaint. In Narine's absence, Kieron Pollard has utilized Tim David as an offspinner with the new ball. However, with three left-handers in Barbados Royals' top six, Charles could be considered for selection if Narine remains unfit for the playoffs.Unfortunately, TKR's injury woes have extended to David, who appeared to injure his side and head while saving a six at the boundary in their last match. Pollard expressed concern over the team's mounting injuries, including Narine, Russell, and his own physical condition.Despite the setbacks, Pollard emphasized that TKR will continue to fight and rely on the support of their medical staff to keep players on the field.

Dwayne Bravo, the former West Indies captain and renowned all-rounder, has expressed his gratitude to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) co-owner Shah Rukh Khan and the management for appointing him as the franchise's mentor. Bravo's appointment extends to KKR's sister franchises in the Caribbean Premier League, Major League Cricket, and ILT20.In a heartfelt video message, Bravo thanked his former team, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), for their support and blessings as he embarks on this new chapter in his coaching career. Bravo, who retired from the IPL in 2021, served as the franchise's bowling coach in the 2022 and 2023 seasons."I want to say a big, big thank you to the Knight Riders family and the management for trusting me, giving me the opportunity to be a part of a very special franchise," Bravo said. "I also want to thank the management and staff of the Chennai Super Kings for giving me the blessings to move on and carry on in my journey."Bravo recalled a message from KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan, who encouraged him to continue "partying and winning trophies" in the years to come. "So now, with that being said, I look forward to doing my best and I look forward to doing great things with the team in Purple," Bravo added.Bravo's stint with KKR marks his second coaching role in the IPL. He joined CSK in 2011, retired from the franchise in 2022, and returned in 2023 as the bowling coach. The decorated Caribbean star has lifted four IPL titles with CSK in various roles.With 183 wickets, Bravo is the third-highest wicket-taker in IPL history. He is also the first player to win two purple caps in the tournament, in 2013 and 2015. Bravo's appointment as KKR mentor is a testament to his vast experience and leadership qualities, which are expected to guide the franchise to future success.

Dwayne Bravo, the legendary West Indies all-rounder, has bid farewell to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after a remarkable journey that spanned four IPL titles. He will now embark on a new chapter as a mentor for defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) from the 2025 season onwards.Bravo, who turns 41 in October, will replace Gautam Gambhir, who recently took over as India's head coach until 2027. The move comes a day after Bravo announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.According to ESPNcricinfo, Bravo recently met with KKR CEO Venky Mysore during the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) before agreeing to the contract. In addition to KKR, he will also oversee all franchises under the Knight Riders umbrella in various T20 leagues, including Trinbago Knight Riders (CPL), Los Angeles Knight Riders (MLC), and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ILT20)."DJ Bravo joining us is an exciting development," Mysore said in a statement. "His relentless drive to win, along with his vast experience and deep knowledge, will greatly benefit our franchise and players."Bravo expressed his excitement about the new role, saying, "I've been part of the Trinbago Knight Riders for the last 10 years in the CPL. Having played for and against the Knight Riders in various leagues, I have a lot of respect for how they operate. The owners' passion, the professionalism of the management, and the family-like environment make it a special place."This will be Bravo's second coaching stint in the IPL. After retiring from the IPL as a player in 2022, he joined CSK as their bowling coach for the 2023 season. Having won the IPL three times as a player, Bravo continued his success in his first coaching assignment, guiding CSK to victory over defending champions Gujarat Titans in 2023.Widely regarded as one of the best death bowlers in T20 cricket, Bravo is the third-highest wicket-taker in IPL history and the first player to win two purple caps in the tournament. With over 500 T20 appearances to his name, he is known for his tactical acumen and motivational skills, qualities that earned him the West Indies captaincy.Bravo retired from international cricket after the 2021 T20 World Cup but continued to play in T20 leagues. He also played a key role as a consultant coach for Afghanistan during the 2024 T20 World Cup, helping the team reach the semi-finals for the first time.

Dwayne Bravo, the legendary all-rounder, has bid farewell to cricket after a glittering career spanning over two decades. The 41-year-old, who holds the record for most T20 wickets, announced his retirement on Instagram, citing physical limitations.Bravo's international career ended in 2021, and he stepped away from the IPL last year. However, he continued to play in various T20 leagues around the world, including the CPL, where he was the most decorated player with five titles.In his retirement post, Bravo expressed gratitude for the support he received throughout his career. He acknowledged that his body could no longer withstand the rigors of the game, and he did not want to compromise his performance or let down his teammates.Bravo's retirement marks the end of an era in T20 cricket. He was known for his exceptional bowling skills, particularly his variations and ability to bowl at the death. He also contributed with the bat, often playing crucial cameos in the lower order.Beyond his on-field achievements, Bravo was also a respected leader and mentor. He played a key role in nurturing young players, such as Dominic Drakes and Ali Khan, who have gone on to become stars in their own right.Bravo's retirement leaves a void in the world of cricket. He was a true entertainer and a role model for aspiring cricketers. His legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.

Dwayne Bravo, the legendary all-rounder, has bid farewell to the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) after sustaining a groin injury during a match against St Lucia Kings. The 40-year-old had initially planned to retire at the end of the 2024 season, but the untimely injury has forced him to end his CPL career prematurely.Bravo's injury occurred while attempting to catch Kings' captain Faf du Plessis in the seventh over. He immediately left the field and did not bowl a single over in what turned out to be his final CPL game. Despite his injury, Bravo returned to bat at No. 11 in TKR's failed chase of 219. He faced just one ball, which struck his thigh, before retiring hurt, visibly emotional."When he pulled up [injured], it looked pretty serious," said TKR captain Kieron Pollard. "He's been a charismatic person and has been inspiring throughout. We just want to tell him thank you very much for all that he has done for cricket."Bravo's injury is a significant blow to TKR, who were also without Sunil Narine for the match against Kings. Narine is expected to return soon from a quad strain, while Andre Russell's workload is being managed due to a hamstring complaint.In the absence of Bravo and Narine, Pollard took on the bowling mantle, bowling his full complement of overs for the first time in the CPL since 2022. "I had to take the mantle with DJ [Bravo] going down and Russell isn't 100% fit," Pollard said.Du Plessis, who played alongside Bravo at Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, paid tribute to the CPL stalwart. "Sad to see DJ Bravo finishing in that way," du Plessis said. "He's obviously someone that I've admired for a long time. He's done so much for everyone around the Caribbean."Bravo is the most decorated player in the CPL, having won five titles in all, including three with TKR. He led TKR to back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018 before captaining St Kitts and Nevis Patriots to their first title in 2021.

Dwayne Bravo's potential farewell match in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) was an emotional affair, with Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) teammates and fans paying tribute to the legendary all-rounder.Before the start of CPL 2024, Bravo had announced his retirement from the league. While he has played only two games this season, his appearance against Guyana Amazon Warriors at the Queen's Park Oval in Port-of-Spain could have been his last, according to teammate Andre Russell.Russell, who has played alongside Bravo for 130 matches, praised his impact on his own career. "Bravo has a lot to do with me being who I am today," Russell said. "He's helped me outthink batters and become a smarter bowler."TKR players and staff honored Bravo by wearing his No. 47 shirt and giving him a guard of honor before the match. Bravo contributed with a wicket and a catch, and during the innings break, he was driven around the stadium, signing balls for the crowd.Bravo is the most decorated player in the CPL, having won five titles, including three with TKR. He played a pivotal role in building the Trinidad franchise, bringing in international stars and supporting local talent.Kieron Pollard, TKR's current captain, acknowledged Bravo's contributions. "He's brought excellent cricketers of generations to the franchise and understood what's needed to build a cricket team," Pollard said.Russell, who returned from an ankle injury, made a significant impact with his 36 off 15 balls, helping TKR chase down 149. "It feels good to be back in the middle," Russell said. "I've been working hard with the support staff to get back on the park."Bravo's potential retirement from the CPL marks the end of an era for the league. His contributions as a player, captain, and mentor have left an indelible mark on the tournament and the sport of cricket in the Caribbean.

Dwayne Bravo Announces Retirement from CPL After Ongoing SeasonDwayne Bravo, the legendary all-rounder and highest wicket-taker in T20 cricket, has announced his retirement from the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) after the conclusion of the ongoing season. The 40-year-old made the announcement hours before Trinbago Knight Riders' opening game of CPL 2024 against St Kitts & Nevis Patriots in Basseterre."It's been a great journey and I'm looking forward to playing my final professional tournament in front of my Caribbean people," Bravo posted on Instagram. "TKR is the place where everything started for me and will end with my team."Bravo has been an integral part of the CPL since its inception in 2013, leading the Trinbago Knight Riders to four titles. He is also the tournament's all-time leading wicket-taker with 128 strikes in 103 games at an impressive average of 22.40 and an economical rate of 8.69.Beyond his CPL exploits, Bravo has enjoyed a remarkable career at the international level, representing the West Indies in 40 Tests, 164 ODIs, and 91 T20Is. He has taken over 500 wickets across all formats and is widely regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders of all time.Bravo's retirement from the CPL marks the end of an era for the tournament. His exceptional skills, leadership, and infectious enthusiasm have left an indelible mark on the competition. He will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most iconic players in CPL history.

Dwayne Bravo, the bowling consultant for the Afghanistan cricket team, has played a pivotal role in the team's recent success at the T20 World Cup. Despite Afghanistan's rollercoaster ride in the tournament, Bravo's quiet presence has been a constant, guiding the team's pace-bowling unit to new heights.Captain Rashid Khan, a white-ball legend, may not require much coaching, but Bravo's expertise has been invaluable to the team's bowlers. Left-arm pacer Fazhalhaq Farooqi remains the tournament's leading wicket-taker, but it was medium pacer Gulbadin Naib's 4-20 against Australia that sealed Afghanistan's victory. Naveen-ul-Haq's 4-26 against Bangladesh, including the crucial wickets of Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman, also bore Bravo's signature.Bravo's influence is evident in the subtle changes of pace, the deceptive short-ball bluff followed by a full delivery, and the ability to bowl the wide yorker. These are techniques that Bravo mastered throughout his illustrious career with the West Indies and Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.Now retired from the IPL, Bravo continues to impart his knowledge to the Afghan bowlers, drawing on his deep understanding of West Indian conditions. Head coach Jonathan Trott provides the team with passion and insider knowledge, while Bravo's input complements their efforts.Afghanistan's bowling unit, once lacking the experience to close out games, has benefited immensely from Bravo's guidance. In the past, their inexperience led to their downfall, as evidenced by Glenn Maxwell's 201 not out against them in the ODI World Cup."You need to have those people who remind you of the things you need to do," said Rashid Khan. "In the heat of the game, they forget the things that were planned for a specific batsman and DJ is always there to remind them what we had planned and what we are doing."As Afghanistan prepares to face South Africa in the semifinal in Bravo's home ground of Trinidad and Tobago, his knowledge of the conditions will be invaluable. The team's success in the tournament is a testament to Bravo's coaching prowess and the impact he has had on the Afghan bowlers.

In a thrilling encounter at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 stage, South Africa emerged victorious over the host nation West Indies by three wickets, securing their place in the semifinals. The match witnessed a remarkable milestone as Andre Russell surpassed Dwayne Bravo to become the highest wicket-taker for the Caribbean side in T20 World Cup history.Russell's exceptional bowling performance against the Proteas saw him claim two crucial wickets in his four-over spell, conceding only 19 runs. With these wickets, the right-arm seamer extended his tally in the T20 WC to 29, surpassing Bravo's previous record of 27.The match began with South Africa winning the toss and opting to field first. West Indies faced an early setback, losing two wickets for just five runs. However, a resilient partnership between Kyle Mayers (35) and Roston Chase (52) revived their innings, guiding them to a respectable total of 135/8 in their allotted 20 overs.South Africa's chase got off to a shaky start as they lost two early wickets. Rain interruptions forced a revised target of 123 runs in 17 overs, making the contest even more intense. Despite crucial contributions from Tristan Stubbs (29) and Heinrich Klaasen (22), the Proteas found themselves in a precarious position at 110/7 in the 16th over.However, Marco Jansen (21*) and Kagiso Rabada (5*) displayed nerves of steel, finding boundaries at crucial moments to seal the victory with five balls and three wickets remaining. Chase emerged as the standout bowler for West Indies, claiming three wickets for just 12 runs. Alzarri Joseph and Russell also chipped in with two wickets each.South Africa's undefeated run in the Super 8 stage continues, with three wins from three matches. England joins them in the semifinals, while the host nation West Indies bows out of the tournament with just one win in three matches.