‘KKR is a team hugely respected worldwide’: Dwayne Bravo | Cricket News
NEW DELHI: Dwayne Bravo has been appointed as the new mentor for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Replacing Gautam Gambhir, who guided the franchise to their third title last year, Bravo aims to instil his “champion mentality” and build upon KKR‘s recent success, ensuring they remain a formidable force in the tournament.
With an impressive record of 631 wickets and a record 17 T20 franchise titles, Bravo brings a wealth of experience and a winning mindset to the KKR setup. His primary objective is to impart his knowledge and mentality to the next generation of cricketers, helping them become champions in their own right.
“I’d like to bring in the champion mentality. I believe in winning,” he said during the ‘Knights Unplugged 2.0’ event.
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“My records speak for themselves, but at the end of the day, it’s about the next generation of cricketers and helping them become champions in their own way.”
“KKR is a team hugely respected worldwide. When I was playing, a couple of guys used to be a nightmare to face. Happy to be part of this setup now.”
Bravo has a strong connection with several KKR players, having captained some of them during his stint with the Trinidad & Tobago team. He expressed his excitement about joining the KKR franchise, adding, “Lucky to have captained some of them in Trinidad & Tobago. The decision to join was an easy one. I want to continue the legacy and ensure KKR remains a household name around the world.”
KKR have retained the core of their championship-winning team, including the re-signing of batting all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer for a staggering Rs 23.75 crore, making him the third-most expensive player in the IPL auction.
One of the talking points ahead of the season is the dynamic between Bravo and head coach Chandrakant Pandit, who is known for his strict and disciplined approach. However, Pandit has expressed his eagerness to learn from Bravo’s experience and create a winning culture within the team.
“He’s a legend. I’ve watched him on TV for years. He brings immense value to the team — not just in terms of tactics but also in terms of creating a winning culture. There’s a lot to learn from him, and I’m looking forward to spending time with him,” Pandit said.
Venkatesh Iyer, who will serve as vice-captain this season, acknowledged the faith shown in him by KKR and expressed his determination to give back to the franchise that gave him his big break. Veteran India batter Ajinkya Rahane has been named the new captain of KKR, replacing Shreyas Iyer, who will captain Punjab Kings this season.
“It’s an honour to lead such a wonderful franchise. I’m grateful to Venky Sir and everyone behind this decision. The focus now is to ensure that everyone is on the same page as we head into the season,” he said.
The reigning champions KKR will kick off the 2025 season against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens on Saturday, with the team aiming to continue their winning momentum under the guidance of Bravo and the experienced coaching staff.
Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India, including match schedules, team squads, and live scores for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Find out how to watch IPL 2025 in Canada and the USA.
