Dwayne Bravo’s 3S mantra to be a champion: Shopping, sports, sleeping

When Dwayne Bravo isn’t being Dwayne Bravo — taking apart the opposition with bat or ball — what does he enjoy? Shopping, playing sports or sleeping, but with a diamond stud and a necklace or two.

Dwayne Bravo was at a hotel overlooking the Arabian Sea, just a few hours before he wore Chennai’s sunflower yellow to face Mumbai in the IPL opener. The 34-year-old West Indies all-rounder went on to play what he called the best innings of his life, a 30-ball 68 that rescued his team from certain defeat. Before he joined his teammates for lunch and match preparation, Bravo spoke to ETPanache about cricket and life off the field.

One of the things the all-rounder looked forward to at the IPL was a chance to join forces with players from different nations.


“You are familiar [with other international cricketers] and this is a good way to get to know players a lot better,” he said. “When I saw Shane Watson in the changing room, my first reaction was, ‘Finally, we are in the same team. We have played so much against each other in international cricket.’ These are things I look forward to. When we have good players in the changing room, the younger players can learn so much. Only good things can come out of it. I treasure these moments.”

The cricketer's fantasy is to buy a private jet. (Image: Agencies)

Rules of engagement
David Warner and Quinton de Kock’s confrontation during the recent AustraliaSouth Africa series drew attention again to sledging. The IPL’s boiler room atmosphere too has bred heated exchanges. Bravo invoked the old rule of battle — don’t get personal — when offering his take on the subject.

“Those things pass through one ear and go through the other,” he said. “I think there is a decent respect among most players in the world, if not all. You need to see that you don’t go too overboard and don’t get personal. It happens in any sport, not only in cricket. Sledging is a part of sports, but no one should hurt anyone.”

Double duty
Bravo’s all-round prowess was on display against Mumbai at the Wankhede. Along with his knock of 68, he conceded just 25 runs in four overs, and bowled nine dot balls at a crucial stage. He said he has put in the sweat and the toil to acquire mastery in both aspects of the game.

“I enjoy both batting and bowling,” Bravo said. “I practice hard and work on both aspects. I do not prefer one over the other because on any given day, I can win matches with the bat or the ball. I treasure both equally.”

It is no secret that Bravo likes all things bling. (Image: Agencies)

After hours
With so much cricket being played, Bravo needs his downtime. Shopping and music are two of the activities that relax him. Sleeping too.

“I like shoes, watches, clothes, everything basically,” Bravo says. “When I go to the mall, I make sure I do not have to go back anytime soon. I also enjoy playing basketball, soccer, a little bit of tennis. I also like watching TV and listening to music. Most times when I am not training, I’m in my room, sleeping or enjoying my own space.”

His fantasy is to buy a private jet. “If you have one, you hire a staff and fly wherever you want. You can take the entire family and travel the world,” Bravo said.

To bling is Caribbean
Most men are conservative when wearing jewellery. But in the Caribbean, it’s a different story, ‘maan’. “It’s our culture. If you look back in the day, you have Courtney Walsh and these guys who had three and four gold chains around their neck,” Bravo says. “Most of the West Indian players and people from the Caribbean side wear a lot of jewellery. It is natural for us.