Groin injury rules Bravo out IPL

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has been ruled of the rest of this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL).

The 37-year old suffered a groin injury during Saturday’s game against Delhi Capitals and was forced to sit out Monday’s game against the Rajasthan Royals.

In a video posted to ESPN’s Cricinfo Facebook page, Bravo lamented his tournament exit but called on CSK fans to rally around the team, currently sitting last in the IPL standings.

“It’s sad for me to be leaving my team CSK. To all of our CSK fans, I want you all to keep encouraging the team and keep supporting, all the true die-hard CSK fans. This wasn’t the season that we expected and (what) our fans wanted.

“We gave it our best and sometimes our best, the results doesn’t show. Keep supporting us and I guarantee that we’re gonna come back stronger and better, like champions. We’re one of the most successful franchises and should be proud to be members and fans of CSK,” he said.

After missing CSK’s first three matches this season, Bravo played an integral role in his team’s following six matches.

He bagged six wickets at a strike rate of 21, including a match haul of three for 37 against the Kolkata Knight Riders. However, he batted just twice and managed just seven runs overall.

CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan said Bravo will take no further part in the tournament and is set to return to TT within the coming days. The TT athlete’s absence serves as another major blow to CSK since veteran players Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh opted out of this year’s IPL. The tournament is being held in the United Arab Emirates in a bio-bubble.

Viswanathan said, “No, Bravo isn't playing any more part this time around and the groin injury has ruled him out. He will be flying back in a day or two. Undoubtedly, Raina and Harbhajan are both vital cogs in the CSK unit and they were missed. But you have to respect personal decisions and that is how we function irrespective of whether it is a senior or junior player.”

CSK will go up against defending champions Mumbai Indians in Sharjah on Friday.