Veteran West Indian cricketer Dwayne Bravo recently became the highest wicket-taker in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Bravo achieved the milestone in the second match of Chennai Super Kings in the ongoing IPL 2022 season. Bravo steered past Lasith Malinga to become the all-time leader amongst the bowlers in the prestigious cricket tournament.
The veteran all-rounder has already taken five wickets from three games this season. He has a crucial season ahead for the four-time champions as they aim to resurrect their campaign after three successive losses. Bravo has also enjoyed a lot of success across other global T20 leagues, besides making his presence felt for the West Indies national side too.
A true performer in the shortest format, Bravo is a real deal. We analyse why he is the best T20 player ever.
Bravo’s impact in the IPL
The bowling all-rounder has claimed a total of 172 wickets in the cash-rich league so far at an average of 24.11. He has achieved the mark in 151 innings (154 matches). Bravo has the most wickets for CSK in the IPL. He has taken 129 wickets at 22.75. Before joining CSK, the star cricketer went on to represent Mumbai Indians, claiming 26 wickets in 30 games at 26.75. He also played one season for Gujarat Lions, claiming 17 scalps at 29.05.
The champion performer is a two-time Purple Cap winner in the IPL. He achieved the feat in 2013 and 2015 respectively; Bravo amassed 32 and 26 wickets apiece in these two seasons. His 32-wicket mark is the joint-best record in a season alongside Harshal Patel, who equalled Bravo’s mark in 2021. Bravo has featured in 14 of the 15 seasons in the IPL, missing the 2017 season. In 11 of these 14 seasons, he claimed 10-plus wickets.
With the bat, Bravo is a vital performer as well. He has accumulated 1,538 runs at an average of 22.62. He has five fifties with a best of 70*. He has 119 fours and 65 sixes. His best performance came in 2012, scoring 371 runs at 46.37.
Notably, Bravo is one of the eight IPL cricketers to face claimed 80-plus catches.
Bravo has won the most T20 titles
After helping CSK win the IPL 2021 title, Bravo etched his name on the record books. He won the 16th T20 title of his career. Last season, he also led St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots to win the honor in the Caribbean Premier League. Bravo was part of the West Indies team that won the ICC T20 World Cup title in 2012 and 2016. He has won three IPL titles, besides the Champions League T20 title with CSK in 2014. He has won five CPL honors, including four with the Trinbago Knight Riders. Bravo has also won two Big Bash League titles as well.
Most T20 wickets and other stats
In 525 matches to date, Bravo has gone on to claim a total of 576 wickets at 24.11. He has 11 four-wicket hauls and two five-wicket hauls. No other bowler in T20s has managed to get past the mark of 500. Imran Tahir has the second-most wickets in the format (451). Afghanistan youngster Rashid Khan (437 scalps) looks like the only bowler who can better Bravo’s tally in the future.
In the CPL, Bravo has claimed the most wickets. He has taken 114 scalps at 22.11. In addition, he has four four-wicket hauls and a fifer. No other bowler has taken 100-plus wickets. Bravo, who featured in the IPL between 2011-2019, claimed 49 scalps at 26.36. In the Bangladesh Premier League, Bravo has 61 wickets and is one of the 12 bowlers to achieve 60-plus wickets.
Bravo is also the highest wicket-taker in T20Is for West Indies. He has 78 scalps at 26.10. He has piled up 20 fifties. Bravo is among the top wicket-takers in the ICC T20 World Cup (27).
He is 40th on the list in terms of most runs in T20 cricket (6,748). He has 1,255 runs for the West Indies at 22.01. He is the sixth-highest scorer for WI.
Conclusion
Bravo has been a true performer with the highest level of consistency on offer. He has played T20 cricket for 16 years, and his longevity is massive. To play in several T20 leagues and make an impact, besides doing well for the West Indies, is no mean task. He also has won two T20 World Cups to date, which is special. Bravo is a must-fit in every side, and that has been a constant factor in every league he has played in.
Even for CSK, he is still their main customer, leading the bowling unit this season. His experience and match-winning skills are second to none. Bravo has been a sheer match-winner over the years, and fans have witnessed it all. There are several big names in T20 cricket who have earned much success, but Bravo’s achievements are unparalleled. He is the best to grace the game.