Former West Indies cricketer Dwayne Bravo took charge as the new Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor, replacing Gautam Gambhir at the helm, who helped KKR win the IPL 2024. Bravo revealed on Thursday that he aims to integrate effective components of his predecessor's approach with his own unique ideas for the upcoming IPL 2025.
Following Gambhir's departure to become the Indian team's head coach, KKR, who won their third IPL title last season under his leadership, has chosen Bravo.
"Unfortunately, we lost some players. But I think GG had his style; I have my style. We're both successful in our own ways. Definitely, I messaged him a few times and stuff. But again, I will be leaning a lot on these guys because they had a successful formula. And it's important that we follow that formula,” Bravo said at the KKR press interaction.
Bravo emphasized the necessity of understanding past triumphs and ensuring team stability.
"I think it's going to be disrespectful of me not to try and find out some of the good things he did last season. But also, the core of the team is here. And that's our responsibility, coach, myself, and Venky sir—to go back into the auction and try our best to get back. It was our duty to go into the auction and try to get back as many of the same players from the championship-winning team. And we were able to get that," said the 41-year-old.
Despite his strong ties to the Chennai Super Kings, Bravo is excited about working with Shah Rukh Khan and praised KKR's position in the competition.
"I think it is good to have a boss like Shah Rukh who is definitely really invested in the game. My first thing started off with the Trinbago Knight Riders when he first bought the team. I was the happiest person on the planet to know that someone like him showed that interest to buy a team in the Caribbean. But not only in the Caribbean, but also in my hometown. And I was able to help build Trinbago Knight Riders, one of, to this day, the most successful franchises in CPL history," Bravo said.
"That energy and that vibe, I am going to try to bring that here as well. It is already a successful team. Behind MI and CSK, we have the third most trophies in the cabinet, and we look to build on that,” Bravo signed off.
The IPL 2025 opening match on March 22 will see KKR taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
(PTI inputs)
