Dwayne Bravo, the legendary West Indies all-rounder, has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket after an injury cut short his final Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season. Approaching his 41st birthday next month, Bravo is the leading wicket-taker in T20 cricket history. He retired from international cricket in 2021 and bid farewell to the Indian Premier League last year. Recently, he transitioned into coaching, taking on roles with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Afghanistan cricket team.
In an emotional post on Instagram, Bravo shared, “Today is the day I say goodbye to the game that has given me everything. From the age of five, I knew this was what I wanted to do—this was the sport I was destined to play. I had no interest in anything else, and I dedicated my entire life to you. In return, you gave me the life I dreamed of for myself and my family. For that, I can’t thank you enough.”
Bravo’s farewell campaign in the CPL ended abruptly when he injured himself while attempting to catch St. Lucia Kings captain Faf du Plessis during a match. This injury forced him to leave the field immediately, preventing him from bowling in what would be his final game. He managed to bat at number 11, but his team, TKR, fell short in a steep chase of 219 runs.
Throughout his CPL career, Bravo’s statistics are impressive; he played 107 matches, scoring 1,155 runs at a strike rate of 129.33 and taking 129 wickets at an average of 23.02. Overall, his contributions to T20 cricket are unparalleled, retiring as the leading wicket-taker with an incredible 631 wickets from 582 matches.
Reflecting on his 21 years as a professional cricketer, Bravo expressed gratitude for the journey filled with highs and lows. He stated, “Most importantly, I was able to live my dream because I gave you 100 percent at every step. As much as I’d love to continue, it’s time to face reality. My mind wants to keep going, but my body can no longer endure the pain, breakdowns, and strain. I can’t put myself in a position where I might let down my teammates, my fans, or the teams I represent. So, with a heavy heart, I officially announce my retirement from the sport. Today, the Champion bids farewell.”
After his CPL season, Bravo was set to participate in the UAE’s ILT20 after being retained by MI Emirates, but he chose not to play and confirmed his retirement instead.
He concluded by thanking his fans for their unwavering support throughout his illustrious career, saying, “To my fans, I want to say a massive THANK YOU for your love and support over the years. To all my fans across the Caribbean, worldwide, and especially in Trinidad & Tobago—thank you for standing by me, especially in these recent weeks. Though this ending is bittersweet, I have no regrets about my career or this decision. Now, I look forward to my next chapter. Once again, thank you. See you soon on the other side. With love, Sir Champion.”
