PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Veteran West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has quit reigning champions Trinbago Knight Riders for the “new challenge” of St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, ahead of this month’s draft of the Caribbean Premier League.
The 37-year-old Bravo has been a mainstay of the Trinidadian franchise since the league’s inception in 2013, leading his native outfit to three titles in 2015, 2017 and 2018.
He was ruled out of CPL with a finger injury in 2019 and was vice-captain to West Indies white-ball captain Kieron Pollard last season when TKR played unbeaten en route to their fourth title.
In a statement, Bravo said the move had been driven by the desire to help develop the younger players in the region.
“At this stage of my career I needed a new challenge, which is to work with the young talent for the benefit of Cricket West Indies,” Bravo said Friday.
“Also becoming part of a new franchise SNKP will provide me with a new challenge in CPL. I want to thank TKR for respecting my wishes and for all their support over the years.
“I also appreciate everything they’ve done for Trinidad and Tobago in general.”
Former Test captain Denesh Ramdin, who featured for Patriots last season, will return to TKR as part of the Bravo trade.
TKR team director Venky Mysore praised Bravo’s contribution to the franchise and said they were “sad” about his departure.
“DJ Bravo has been instrumental in not only building TKR into a champion team but also captained the team which earned three championships in 2015, 2017 and 2018,” Mysore said.
“We are sad to see him leave but we respect his wishes.”
Last year, Bravo became the first bowler to take 500 Twenty20 wickets after finishing with nine scalps in the CPL to be among his side’s leading bowlers.
Ironically, Bravo will turn out for the Patriots who last week became the host franchise for this year’s CPL, after St Kitts penned a deal to stage the tournament in its entirety.
Speaking during the announcement, CPL chief operating officer, Pete Russell, hinted at a busy season of transfers, with the draft scheduled for month end.
“We’re still working on a final date but it will be around the 26th of May so that’s when we’ll find out exactly who will be competing with who,” Russell said.
“I can assure everyone there’s been quite a lot of movement in terms of some of the things during the close season. There’ll be one or two surprises when we come to the draft.”
TKR and Patriots will be joined by Barbados Tridents, Jamaica Tallawahs, Guyana Amazon Warriors and St Lucia Zouks for this year’s tournament set to bowl off August 28.
