World Cup my priority now, says rising star Brathwaite

KOLKATA, India, CMC – All-rounder Carlos Brathwaite is poised to take up a lucrative Indian Premier League contract with Delhi Daredevils next month but at the moment, the only thing occupying his thoughts is helping West Indies win this month’s Twenty20 World Cup.

BALANCING ACT: Carlos Brathwaite says his focus is on the World Cup now and not IPL.
BALANCING ACT: Carlos Brathwaite says his focus is on the World Cup now and not IPL.

The 27-year-old entered last month’s draft at a base price of $30 000 and walked away with a deal worth US$626 000, after Daredevils battled to secure his services for the cash-rich April 9 to May 29 tournament.

And though the IPL follows quickly on the heels of the World Cup here, Brathwaite was clear on where his priorities were.

“I don’t want to look too far ahead. The most important thing is to do well in the World Twenty20,” Brathwaite stressed.

“It’s wonderful news to be selected for IPL. But for me the first and foremost thing is to win the World Twenty20. Hopefully, I will play an influential role for the Delhi Daredevils as well.”

He added: “The World Cup is of prime importance now. I have an important role in the team and want to concentrate on that.”

Brathwaite was a belated addition to the T20 World Cup squad, following the withdrawal of the experienced Kieron Pollard through injury.

He is a powerful lower order batsman and a steady seamer, and is expected to form a major part of West Indies’ assault on the T20 World Cup.

Brathwaite said the Windies preparation had been helped by the presence of legendary fast bowler Sir Curtly Ambrose who was now the team’s bowling consulant.

“(Curtly) Ambrose has been influential, you see he is a legend,” Brathwaite noted. “Now it is up to us to find out his thought process. So far it has been great. He has had a huge impact.”

West Indies will face India on Thursday at Eden Gardens in the first official warm-up match for the T20 World Cup, before clashing with Australia on Sunday in their second and final warm-up.

They will then face a tough group campaign when they come up against England, South Africa and Sri Lanka, along with a yet-to-be determined qualifier.

Long-serving wicketkeeper batsman Denesh Ramdin believes, however, that West Indies possessed what was required to lift the title.

“The West Indies players have been in great demand in various T20 leagues across the world. We have seven, eight of them who are all match winners and I have no doubt that we can go all the way.”