Kolkata Knight Riders announce Dwayne Bravo as mentor: Former West Indies allrounder Dwayne Bravo has officially concluded his illustrious career with the Chennai Super Kings, where he secured four IPL titles in various roles. He is set to join the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as a mentor starting from the 2025 season.
ESPNcricinfo in a report quoted sources as revealing that Bravo met with KKR CEO Venky Mysore during the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and agreed to a long-term contract. In addition to his role with KKR, Bravo will oversee all franchises under the Knight Riders brand in T20 leagues, including the Trinbago Knight Riders (CPL), Los Angeles Knight Riders (MLC) and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ILT20).
“DJ Bravo joining us is an exciting development,” Mysore stated. “His relentless drive to win, along with his extensive experience and deep knowledge, will significantly benefit our franchise and players.”
Bravo, who will turn 41 in October, replaces Gautam Gambhir, who transitioned to India’s head coach after leading KKR to their third IPL title in 2024. The announcement of Bravo’s role came just a day after he announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. Along with Gambhir, KKR has also seen the departure of assistant coaches Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate, both of whom have taken positions within India’s support staff. At KKR, Bravo will work under head coach Chandrakant Pandit and bowling coach Bharat Arun.
“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 immense respect for their operations,” Bravo said. “The owners’ passion, the professionalism of the management, and the family-like environment create a special atmosphere. This role is the perfect platform for me as I transition from playing to mentoring and coaching the next generation of players.”
This mentor position with KKR marks Bravo’s second role in team management within the IPL. After joining CSK in 2011, he retired from playing in the IPL after the 2022 season but took on the role of bowling coach in 2023. He enjoyed immediate success as CSK won the title that year, adding to his three titles as a player. Noted as one of the best death bowlers in T20 cricket, Bravo ranks as the third-highest wicket-taker in IPL history and is the first player to win two purple caps in the tournament.
With over 500 T20 matches under his belt, Bravo is highly regarded among players and peers for his tactical acumen and motivational skills, qualities that propelled him to the captaincy of the West Indies. He retired from international cricket after the 2021 T20 World Cup but continued to play in various T20 leagues (with Mumbai Emirates in ILT20, Texas Super Kings in MLC, and TKR in CPL) while gradually shifting his focus toward coaching. During the 2024 T20 World Cup, he served as a consultant coach for Afghanistan, playing a pivotal role in helping the team reach the semi-finals for the first time in their history.