St Kitts & Nevis Patriots captain Dwayne Bravo has said that the 'belief' in young players played an important role as the franchise won the Caribbean Premier League (CPL 2021) title. Bravo, who has won 15 T20 titles with different sides in his illustrious career, called this win among the "top three".
Patriots defeated St Lucia Kings as 23-year-old Dominic Drakes helped his side chased down the 160-run target with an amazing 28-ball 48*. Bravo added that it was the opportunity and backing given to these players that helped them perform under pressure.
"Belief - we gave the people opportunities. All I asked the guys was to back each other - It doesn't matter whether we perform or not, play or not play, let's support each other, let's stay tight, let's stay together. Giving young players the belief and opportunity - especially Drakes.
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In my first net session I had with Drakes, I told him: 'You're not an emerging player, you're one of my main players'. All these guys who have come in, even the overseas guys, whether they play or not, the energy on the bench is good,” Bravo said after the Patriots CPL 2021 title win.
"[I] want to commend my team. This is for them. Without them, this wouldn't have been possible. To my entire team and owners and most of all the fans of St Kitts - they deserve this, they come out in numbers, were our 12th man, and this is for them,” he added.
Bravo was made the captain of the franchise with lots of youngsters in the squad and called this title a win amongst the top three of his career.
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He said, "This will be right on top even though I've won a lot. This will be special because again, it was a new franchise, out of my comfort zone, coming here not knowing what to expect - I think this is maybe in the top three because it's a young-ish team, a couple of seniors.
I always wanted an opportunity for [Chris Gayle and me] to play CPL together, now we're in the same team and now we're champions together. The Universe Boss and The Champion in one team - one thing can happen."
Dwayne Bravo will now be seen playing for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the second-half of the IPL 2021 in the UAE.
(ESPNCricinfo inputs)
