Kolkata Knight Riders have roped in former West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo as their new mentor ahead of the IPL 2025 season. A key role in which he replaces Gautam Gambhir.
Just a day before the announcement, the 40-plus-year-old Bravo announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. Following a groin injury sustained during the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League. He had earlier retired from international cricket in 2021 before stepping away from the IPL last year. Over the past year, Bravo devoted more time to coaching, having already worked with the CSK and Afghanistan.
Knight Riders Group CEO Venky Mysore expressed excitement about Bravo’s appointment. “DJ Bravo joining us is an exciting development, his relentless drive to win along with vast experience. And deep knowledge will benefit our franchise as well as the players who will be rubbing shoulders with him on the same team,” he said. “We are also delighted that Bravo will be associated with our other franchises around the world, which is something that will help bring in the clear bond among our teams scattered across different geographies like CPL, MLC, and ILT20.”
This role marks Bravo’s second coaching position in the IPL. He joined CSK in 2011 and retired from the franchise in 2022, returning in 2023 as their bowling coach. Also he has a rich history with the Super Kings, lifting four IPL titles besides becoming the third leading wicket-taker in IPL history with 183 scalps. He also created history by winning the Purple Cap twice, in 2013 and 2015.
Bravo is quite ready to embrace this new chapter in his career. He said, “I’ve been part of the Trinbago Knight Riders for the last 10 years in the CPL. Respectively, I like the way the Knight Riders carry out their franchise. The passion of the owners, and the professionalism of the management, make it a special place. This is the perfect platform for me as I transition to mentoring and coaching the next generation of players.”
Having had an illustrious career, Bravo played as many as 582 T20 matches. And took 631 wickets apart from scoring nearly 7,000 runs, thereby earning championship wins than any other cricketer.
ANI