Five Take Aways from CPL 2015 Part 2: The resurgence of ‘Lil Bravo

While Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel fans usually concentrate on Dwayne Bravo’s ever-natural ability to grab headlines, out of the spotlight sits his quiet, younger brother, Darren. Humble, always God-thanking in interviews yet softly anxious to get them out the way. Not because he’s impatient but clearly because ‘Lil’ Bravo’ is focussing on the next innings at hand.

“I’m quietly confident,” was his timid, emblematic stance in this year’s 2015 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) - quite a contrast to the direct, more prominent and effusive stance taken by Dwayne, this year’s MVP.

Darren’s talent and in-the-crease disposition, from the youth level right up to his pedigree as an international cricketer, will forever draw parallels to his idol in West Indies legend, Brian Lara.

And his career did indeed seem destined for greatness while unfortunately synchronizing with the ups and downs of West Indies cricket. In 2013, he and Shivnarine Chanderpaul tried to save a disastrous tour in New Zealand to avail with Bravo rescuing the First Test via a sublime 218. However, West Indies would soon lose one of their middle-order backbones with ‘personal reasons’ resulting in a sabbatical from the team. Bravo was named as WICB/WIPA’s 2013 Player of the Year but his lynchpin ability remained visibly absent from the ensuing 2014 World Twenty20 (T20) which saw Darren Sammy’s team relinquish the trophy to Sri Lanka. The team missed his diligence, repeated with his absence from this year’s World Cup. While his emphatic knocks and Caribbean T20 exploits stood quite opposite to his lone Indian Premier League (IPL) stint with Deccan Chargers, he’s always been viewed as a long format player but one West Indies still desperately needed in any and all ranks.

With Red Steel under a barrage of criticism returning home, Darren decided that 20 runs in four innings wasn’t enough and backed his brother and captain in the best way possible. With runs. With 21 sixes, just behind leader Chris Gayle, that had the House of Bacchanal Party Stand running for cover on the ground where he cut his teeth. He was at home, describing the Oval and its fans as “family and the best place for me to bat in the world.” His next nine innings would see him chart an average of 69 as he finished ninth on the scoring charts with 291, helping push his team to their first CPL crown. The finesse was back. A bouncer from Jason Holder rocked his helmet in the group stage. No problem.

Two aggressive sixes followed to the Oval’s delight. When he realized he gave away too many dots, he made up with boundaries. Darren had a response for every bowler on the pitch. His contribution to the team, as his brother would vouch for, cannot go unheralded.

It is disappointing that his fans are reset at ground zero into the mode of looking at Darren as promising once more. He should be miles ahead and a top five batsman in all formats. But at 26 years, time is on his side. With Windies looking to reestablish themselves as WT20 champs, his case is as strong as ever. He seems mentally rigid and appreciative that his nation embraced him and welcomed him back home with open arms. This should serve as catalyst to boost a lacking international T20 average at 21.36. After this CPL, selectors would find it hard to argue with the statements he made. Unbeaten knocks of 86, 80 and 49 echo selector, Courtney Walsh’s sentiments that “a better Darren is a better West Indies”. If anyone deserves this rebirth, this second chance, it’s the Queen’s Park alumni.

This CPL proved an apt reminder as to why Darren Bravo drastically improves the aesthetic and overall landscape of West Indies cricket. With the team still in an apparent vise at the moment, uncertain of moving forward with rumours, disputes and proposed solutions running amok, ‘Lil’ Bravo’ has pled his case and shown that he’s the best precautionary measure the selectors can take.

The prodigal son has returned. Not just for Red Steel. But for all lovers of the maroon.