LET’S GLANCE HIS ENTHRALLING CAREER
All-rounder Dwayne John Bravo announced his retirement from international cricket on October 24. The 35-year-old last represented the Caribbean in September 2016.
“Today I want to confirm to the cricket world that I have officially retired from international cricket in all formats of the game.” –Bravo
Bravo had played a grand total of 270 internationals (40 Tests, 164 ODIs, and 66 T20Is) between 2004 and 2016 and played a scintillating role in each of their two World T20 triumphs in 2012 and 2016. On 31 January 2015, Bravo announced his retirement from Test cricket; he will continue playing ODIs and T20Is.
“However, I must accept that for me to preserve my longevity as a professional cricketer, I must do as others before have done, leave the international arena for the next generation of players.” –Bravo
“I will continue my professional career as a cricketer and entertainer living as a true champion.”-Bravo
Bravo made his maiden appearance for West Indies in April 2004 in the Georgetown ODI against England, scalping Marcus Trescothick and Andrew Strauss. Three months later, he was handed a Test debut at Lord’s in West Indies’ tour of England.
BRAVO THE CHAMPION
In November 2005 Bravo bagged 213 runs opposite Australia in two tests-
- 113 in Hobart
- 6 for 86 in Adelaide
Bravo pushed West Indies to victory in May 2006 against India with unbeaten 61 and taking three wickets in the fourth ODI along with holding his nerve to pick Yuvraj Singh at a crucial time in the second ODI.
In 2009 ICC World T20 he clinched 154 runs at 38.50 taking 10 wickets at 18.40. At Lord’s against India Bravo’s four wickets and 66 runs off 36 balls triumphed the match
Bravo became the first bowler to take 400 T20 wickets.
In his 40-Test career, which began in 2010, Bravo attained 2,200 runs, comprising three hundred and 13 fifties. He also bagged 86 wickets in the format.
Before permanently taking the charge in February 2013, in one test Bravo captained West Indies and led in seven ODI’s. In 36 games Bravo won 16 ODI’s Bravo also led West Indies in six T20I, winning three.
DIFFERENT SHADES OF BRAVO
Dwayne Bravo played for the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League for the first three seasons when he was picked up by the Chennai Super Kings during 2011 IPL Auctions.
He was one of the top performing players in the 2012 IPL playing for Chennai Super Kings scoring 461 runs at an average of 57 off a strike rate of 178.
He also performed well in the 2013 IPL playing for Chennai Super Kings, taking 32 wickets at an average of 9.15 to win the Purple Cap.
BRAVO THE ENTERTAINER
He was also a contestant on the dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, he has also been as a guest in The Kapil Sharma Show.
Bravo has also sung and produced the song ‘Champion Champion’ in March 2016, which became a club song in India.
CONTROVERSIES
During a Test series against South Africa in 2005, Bravo scored his maiden century – 107 before getting out to Mark Boucher – in the fourth Test in Antigua, but that was obscured when he accused South African Graeme Smith of hurling a racist comment at him.
In 2014, during a tour of India, Bravo was the spokesman for the players during player’s strike which resulted in the tour being canceled half way. He was later omitted from the West Indies World Cup team for the 2015 World Cup.
DESIRES
“I am open to the idea of acting in a Karan Johar film opposite Deepika Padukone.” –Bravo
“I admire all the Bollywood heroines and happy to be associated with any talent. I met Jacqueline Fernandez on the set (of ‘Jhalak…’) and I quite liked her.” –Bravo
“Definitely, I see myself doing that (music) for a longer period of time. In sports, when you reach 39-40, you call it a day. But in music, age doesn’t matter. You can extend it a lot longer. I have a passion for it so I will do more music and look forward to opportunities to collaborate with other artists. Let’s see where it goes for DJ Bravo (smiles).” –Bravo
“Beenie Man from Jamaica is extremely popular back home. He is a dancehall artiste and is known as the Michael Jackson of the genre. He is the main person who has inspired me and I’ve always wanted to be like him.” –Bravo