By Roger Seepersad

Copyright trinidadexpress

Trinbago Knight Riders head coach Dwayne Bravo hailed his side’s record-extending fifth Caribbean Premier League (CPL) championship as more than a simple victory on the field.

Instead, he said it was a statement to the rest of the region.

Their three-wicket victory over hosts Guyana Amazon Warriors at Guyana National Stadium in Providence on Sunday night was the moment the franchise reclaimed its place as the Caribbean’s most dominant T20 team.

Speaking to reporters yesterday at the Piarco International Airport after the team arrived home in Trinidad with the CPL trophy in hand to celebrate with fans, the TKR head coach said the mission was always about restoring pride and dominance and belief in their own abilities.

“It is a great feeling and this is for T&T and for the people. We really wanted this trophy,” Bravo explained.

“It has been five years and it has been a long wait. At one point in time we felt that we were not the most dominant team and we needed to get back that mojo and that spark, and the only way to do that is by going out there and winning the trophy. So happy to bring it back home and hopefully it will be here for a while.”

Bravo said the squad stayed calm under pressure and ignored outside criticism about their chances.

Bravo himself “blocked out the noise” and stuck with his guns in selecting an experienced team who he said knew how to win in tough Caribbean conditions.

“We were never under pressure. In a tournament like this, you expect to lose games because the other teams are also very good. It is important with a squad like this to keep them calm and composed and not to panic. The squad that we picked is because of how the CPL panned out. It is tough to play in Caribbean conditions and I wanted to go with experience,” Bravo stated.

Many doubted the team’s veteran-heavy line-up, but Bravo insisted the selection was deliberate.

Kieron Pollard emerged as Player of the Tournament while Sunil Narine and Andre Russell also stepped up under the new captain Nicholas Pooran, who was also hungry for CPL success having played in the league since its inception without laying hands on the trophy until Sunday.

“At the start of the season a lot of people didn’t give us a chance because they said it is an old squad and players are past their best. But all the noise I don’t take on. I am aware of everything. Darren Bravo and Colin Munro—these guys were brought back for a specific reason because they have had success with the franchise over the years and they are proven winners, and I felt that to get back that core would help TKR have success in these conditions,” said Bravo.

The former TKR and West Indies skipper also hailed Pollard’s Player of the Tournament performance as proof of the veteran’s enduring class.

“Pollard is one of the best in the world and I am happy to see that he is still enjoying his cricket. He is someone that people may think it is time for him to move on. We all, when we played, our heads were called for. Sometimes people react off emotions and they just need to give athletes a chance to be themselves,” said Bravo.

“So, I am happy for Polly… he is going to continue to play as long as he is healthy.”

The TKR coach also praised Narine’s commitment.

“Sunil came in with a broken finger and a lot of people would not have known that but he did his part. We have a young leader—very passionate and a superstar. All these guys played their part and I am happy to have a squad like this.”

Beyond cricket and TKR’s victory, Bravo spoke about the broader impact of sport on national unity and culture and urged those in authority to respect sport and what athletes do to represent the country successfully on the world stage.

“I always see myself as an ambassador. Now that it is official, I will definitely do my role and play my part to ensure that from a sport and culture point of view, T&T is up there with the rest of the world,” Bravo said of his role as Sport Ambassador.

“It is good to have a government that sees the importance of sport and culture and I know they will support my ideas. I am ready to work. You see Keshorn [Walcott] and Jereem [Richards], what they have done—and that is the beauty of sport. It is the only thing that unifies the nation. There is no red, yellow, black or white when it comes to sport. So it is important to treat sport with respect and give the athletes what they deserve,” Bravo added.