West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has officially announced his retirement from international cricket, following a disappointing title defense for the team at the T20 World Cup.
The West Indies still have one fixture remaining against Australia but have officially been eliminated after losing to Sri Lanka on Thursday. Overall, the team lost three matches and won one. The West Indies' lone win so far came against Bangladesh, after losing to England and South Africa to open the tournament.
Ahead of the World Cup, the 38-year-old Bravo had suggested that the tournament would be his last for the region, after a long and decorated career.
I think the time has come," Bravo to the ICC Cricket media channel.
"I've had a very good career. To represent the West Indies for 18 years, had some ups and downs, but as I look back at it I'm very grateful to represent the region and the Caribbean people for so long,” he added.
Since making his debut in 2006, against New Zealand, Bravo went on to represent the West Indies 90 times in T20 internationals. Overall, he has made 223 appearances for the Caribbean team in all formats.
"To win three ICC trophies, two with my captain [Daren Sammy] on the left here. One thing I am proud about is that the era of cricketers we had we were able to make a name for ourselves on the global stage and not only do that but have silverware to show for it,” he added.
As for the current campaign, Bravo admitted that it did not go the way the team wanted it to, but that he hoped to be able to still pass on his knowledge to the upcoming generation.
"For me now I want to try and pass on whatever experience and information I have with the younger players," he said. "I think in the white-ball formats West Indies cricket have a bright future and it's important for us to keep supporting the guys and keep encouraging them.
"It wasn't the World Cup we expected, it wasn't the World Cup we wanted as players. We shouldn't feel sorry for ourselves, it was a tough competition, we should keep our heads high."