I Have Always Played the Game Fair, Clean and Honestly: Dwayne Bravo
Dwayne Bravo was one of three cricketers given a clean chit by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on charges of match-fixing during the 2013 edition of the Indian Premier League.
Dwayne Bravo rubbished the allegations made by former Indian Premier League (IPL) boss Lalit Modi that the West Indian all-rounder was paid in cash by a real estate baron during his stint with the Chennai Super Kings.(BCCI Gives Clean Chit)
"I just want to make this thing clear to all my fans and people around the world that Dwayne Bravo has always played the game fair, clean and honestly. I love this game a lot and it has given a lot to me in life. I would not do anything to jeopardise my sport or my career by indulging in any wrongful activity. These allegations are untrue. My lawyers are now looking into it," Bravo told mid-day Wednesday.
When asked whether he will be taking a legal recourse, Bravo said: "I don't know what I am going to do (at this moment)." Recently, a confidential email surfaced on Twitter in which Modi had written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2013 alleging that three CSK players - Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja and Bravo - were bribed in cash and kind.(ICC Confirms Mail from Lalit Modi)
The ICC confirmed receiving the email, while the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday gave a "clean chit" to the three cricketers named. Bravo, meanwhile, is excited to help cricket make its maiden appearance at ESPN's annual awards, thanks to an acrobatic, one-handed catch on the boundary line during the last IPL.
Bravo, who represents Chennai Super Kings, took the catch to dismiss Rajasthan Royals' Shane Watson in Chennai. His catch was awarded the IPL's 'catch of the season'. "No, I did expect it. I wasn't aware of any award which was as big as the ESPYS. It is like the Oscars for sportspersons. I am the first cricketer ever to be nominated which is great for the game of cricket," Bravo said.
© BCCI
A Fluke
Bravo admitted the catch was some sort of a fluke. "It was something that just happened. I jumped to stop the ball from going for a six. When I jumped, I realised I had caught the ball. I had to ensure I land properly now. When I landed, it was just a few metres away from the boundary line. It was a combination of speed and acrobatic skills. I do practice such catches.
We stand on the boundary rope and it is part of our training," he said. Bravo is pitted against other nominees like Lionel Messi's goal against Athletic Bilbao in May and plays from NFL, NBA apart from other sports. The winner will be determined by a public vote.