Dwayne Bravo: From Legendary Cricketer to Mentor for Kolkata Knight Riders
In a significant development in the cricket world, West Indies cricket legend Dwayne Bravo has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket and will be joining the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as a mentor for the IPL 2025 season.
Retirement from Cricket
Bravo, who turns 41 in October, has had a illustrious career spanning over two decades. He recently suffered a groin injury during the Caribbean Premier League, which marked the end of his participation in the tournament and ultimately led to his decision to retire from professional cricket.
In an emotional post on Instagram, Bravo reflected on his career, stating, "Today is the day I say goodbye to the game that has given me everything... Twenty-one years as a professional cricketer - it’s been an incredible journey, filled with many highs and a few lows. Most importantly, I was able to live my dream because I gave you 100 at every step.".
Transition to Mentoring
Following his retirement, Bravo will take on a new role as a mentor for KKR, replacing Gautam Gambhir who has moved on to become the head coach of the Indian national team until 2027.
"DJ Bravo joining us is an exciting development," said Venky Mysore, CEO of the Knight Riders Group. "His relentless drive to win, along with his vast experience and deep knowledge, will greatly benefit our franchise and players.".
Bravo's association with the Knight Riders is not new; he has been part of the Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) for the last 10 years. He expressed his respect for the Knight Riders' organization, highlighting the owners' passion, the professionalism of the management, and the family-like environment as key factors in his decision to join KKR.
Role Across Knight Riders Franchises
Apart from mentoring KKR, Bravo will also be involved with other Knight Riders franchises globally, including the Trinbago Knight Riders (CPL), Los Angeles Knight Riders (MLC), and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ILT20).
Coaching Experience
This will be Bravo's second coaching stint in the IPL. Previously, he served as the bowling coach for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) from the 2023 season, where he contributed to CSK's IPL title win that year. Bravo has also coached the Afghanistan national team.
Legacy in Cricket
Dwayne Bravo is one of the most successful bowlers in T20 cricket, with 631 wickets in the format, including T20 Internationals and franchise tournaments. He played 40 tests, 164 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and 91 T20Is for the West Indies and was part of their T20 World Cup-winning side in 2016. Bravo is the third-highest wicket-taker in IPL history and the first player to win two purple caps in the tournament.
With his vast experience and achievements, Bravo's transition to mentoring is expected to bring significant value to the Kolkata Knight Riders and the other Knight Riders franchises he will be involved with. His commitment to nurturing the next generation of players marks a new chapter in his illustrious cricket career.