Dwayne Bravo, the celebrated former West Indies all-rounder, has joined Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as their mentor ahead of the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). This marks a significant career transition for Bravo, who recently announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Thursday, September 26. In his new role, Bravo will replace Gautam Gambhir as the mentor of the KKR team.
The move also signals Bravo’s departure from his current position as the bowling consultant for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), a role he’s held for the past two seasons. Bravo last played in the IPL in 2022 for CSK and transitioned to a support staff role following his playing stint. Although he continued to play in other domestic leagues such as the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Major League Cricket (MLC), and International League T20 (ILT20), CSK opted for Ben Stokes to fill Bravo’s spot in the 2023 IPL season.
However, Bravo’s mentoring responsibilities will extend beyond the IPL. He will also serve as a mentor for the Knight Riders’ franchises in other leagues, namely Trinbago Knight Riders in the CPL, Los Angeles Knight Riders in the MLC, and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the ILT20. This multi-faceted role is expected to leverage Bravo’s extensive experience and technical know-how across different setups and regions.
Venky Mysore, the CEO of Knight Riders, expressed enthusiasm about Bravo’s new role. “DJ Bravo joining us is an exciting development. His relentless drive to win, along with his vast experience and deep knowledge, will greatly benefit our franchise and players. We’re also pleased that Bravo will be involved with our other franchises globally, including CPL, MLC, and ILT20,” Mysore said.
Reflecting on his long-standing affiliation with the Knight Riders’ family, Bravo shared his thoughts on the transition. “I’ve been part of the Trinbago Knight Riders for the last 10 years in the CPL. Having played for and against the Knight Riders in various leagues, I have a lot of respect for how they operate.
. The owners’ passion, the professionalism of the management, and the family-like environment make it a special place. This is the perfect platform for me as I transition from playing to mentoring and coaching the next generation of players,” Bravo said.
It is noteworthy that Bravo has had a distinguished career in the IPL, having played for Mumbai Indians, CSK, and Gujarat Lions. His appointment as the mentor of KKR follows a significant reshuffle in their support staff, largely prompted by Gautam Gambhir and Abhishek Nayar taking up roles with the Indian national team. Gambhir, under whose mentorship KKR clinched their third IPL title, has now been appointed as the head coach of the Indian men’s team. Nayar, who served as the assistant coach at KKR, has also moved to the national side in the same capacity.
Throughout his playing career, Bravo was known for his electric performances, both as a batsman and a bowler. Over the years, he became synonymous with high-pressure performances and was often relied upon to deliver in crunch situations. His expertise is expected to be invaluable to the KKR setup. The franchise is optimistic that Bravo’s strategic insights and hands-on approach will rejuvenate the squad and potentially lead them to future successes.
Bravo’s illustrious career has seen him compete at the highest levels and in various leagues globally. His experience in different conditions and formats is seen as a significant asset, especially for younger players who are still carving their niche in professional cricket. Furthermore, his global rapport with players across multiple leagues will aid in fostering a diverse yet unified team environment at KKR.
As Dwayne Bravo steps into his new role, KKR fans and the broader cricket community will undoubtedly be keen to see how his presence influences the team’s dynamics and performance. With IPL 2025 on the horizon, the Knight Riders are gearing up for what they hope will be another triumphant chapter under the mentorship of one of cricket’s most seasoned and charismatic personalities.
