Dwayne Bravo has urged Barbados Tridents youngster Jakeem Pollard to aim for a West Indies selection. The Trinbago Knight Riders head coach pulled the 18-year-old aside during the Caribbean Premier League. He told Pollard that he should not limit himself to T20 franchise cricket. The exchange was caught on camera and carried the weight of a man who has been on both sides of the conversation.
Pollard is a left-arm seamer from Barbados. He caught the eye at the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year. He made his CPL debut on September 5 against Bravo’s Knight Riders. He has been described as one of the most exciting pace prospects to emerge from the island in recent years. He also has a sharp inswinger that has drawn comparisons with past greats.
Bravo retired from all cricket last year. His career spanned 582 T20 appearances and five CPL titles. He chose his moment to deliver a message about what he believes matters beyond the franchise circuit. He told Pollard that young players have a lot of freedom to play cricket. However, he said they have to play for West Indies. He said they cannot just play T20 cricket.
Bravo saw the golden generation of West Indies cricket lift two World T20 championships in four years. He also saw how most of his compatriots chose franchise cricket and big pay cheques over representing their country. He remained one of the West Indies’ most loyal players during a difficult period. He was quick to make sure the next generation did not repeat the same mistakes.
Bravo advised Pollard to programme his mind from now. He told him to work hard on his game and fitness. He asked Pollard if his family had money. When the youngster’s expression answered the question, Bravo drew on his own background. He said they all came from poor families. He said they can all look after their families now because of the sport. He urged Pollard to have passion and conquer.
From West Indies All-Rounder to T20 Legend and TKR Coach
Dwayne Bravo’s professional playing career ended in September 2024. He was playing for Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League. He injured his groin while attempting a catch. He left the field for treatment, returning later but could barely run. He faced two deliveries and then retired hurt. Two days later, he announced his retirement from playing. He said his mind wanted to continue but his body could no longer withstand the pain and strain.
Two years later, Trinbago Knight Riders announced that no player would wear Bravo’s number 47 again. This made him the first cricketer in CPL history to have his jersey number retired. Bravo had played 107 CPL matches and taken 129 wickets. He won five league titles as a player. He added a sixth as head coach of TKR. He helped turn the Knight Riders into a dominant force in the league.
Bravo grew up in Santa Cruz, a valley community in northern Trinidad. He knew from the age of five that cricket was his destiny. He progressed through the West Indies Under-19 system. He made his senior Trinidad and Tobago debut while still a teenager. He was a classical player with a high-elbowed cover drive and quick feet. His medium-fast bowling moved through the air and away from the right-hander. He made his ODI debut in 2004. His Test debut followed at Lord’s that July.
Bravo played 40 Tests for the West Indies. He scored 2,200 runs and took 86 wickets. He made three Test centuries. He was a complete cricketer who could bat, bowl, and field. His final Test came in December 2010. He was only 27 years old. He never played another Test.
The deepest rupture came during the 2014 tour of India. Bravo was captain of the West Indies one-day side. A dispute erupted over a new payment arrangement. The players argued the agreement had been reached without proper consultation. On October 17, the West Indies players abandoned the tour. The BCCI threatened legal action. Bravo stood at the centre of the storm. He and Kieron Pollard were omitted from the 2015 ODI World Cup squad.
Bravo also built a career as a musician. His song “Champion” became a hit during the 2016 World T20. The West Indies men danced to it through their campaign. When Carlos Brathwaite hit four sixes in the final, the West Indies became world champions. “Champion” became the soundtrack to the victory. Bravo understood the hybrid nature of modern T20 cricket. He made performance and personality feed each other.
Bravo retired from international cricket in 2018. He returned in 2019 and stepped away after the 2021 T20 World Cup. After retirement, Bravo moved into coaching. He coached Chennai Super Kings’ bowlers. He became a mentor across the Knight Riders network. He also added another CPL championship in his first season.
FAQs
Q. How old is Jakeem Pollard?
A. Jakeem Pollard is 18 years old.
Q. How many T20 appearances did Dwayne Bravo make?
A. Bravo made 582 T20 appearances.
Q. How many Test wickets did Dwayne Bravo take?
A. Bravo took 86 Test wickets.
Q. What is Dwayne Bravo’s famous song?
A. His famous song is “Champion”.
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