Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have appointed former West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo as their new mentor for the IPL 2025 season, replacing Gautam Gambhir, who led the franchise to their third title last year. Bravo, known for his “champion mentality,” aims to instill a winning mindset and build on KKR’s recent success, ensuring they remain a dominant force in the tournament.
Bravo Brings a Winning Mindset to KKR
With an illustrious career that includes 631 wickets and a record 17 T20 franchise titles, Bravo brings invaluable experience and a winning mentality to the KKR setup. Speaking at the ‘Knights Unplugged 2.0’ event, Bravo shared his vision:
“I want to bring in the champion mentality. I believe in winning. My records speak for themselves, but my main goal is to help the next generation of cricketers become champions in their own right.”
The former all-rounder also acknowledged KKR’s global reputation and expressed his excitement about joining the franchise. He recalled past encounters with the team, stating:
“KKR is a team respected worldwide. When I played against them, a few of their players were a nightmare to face. Now, I’m thrilled to be part of this setup.”
Strong Connections with KKR Players
Bravo shares a deep connection with several KKR players, having captained some of them during his stint with the Trinidad & Tobago team. His familiarity with the squad made his decision to join KKR an easy one:
“I have captained some of these players in Trinidad & Tobago. This transition felt natural. I want to continue the KKR legacy and ensure the franchise remains a household name globally.”
Retaining the Core of the Championship Team
KKR has retained most of its title-winning squad, including the high-profile re-signing of batting all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer for a staggering ₹23.75 crore, making him the third-most expensive player in IPL auction history.
One of the key talking points ahead of the season is the partnership between Bravo and KKR head coach Chandrakant Pandit, known for his disciplined approach. However, Pandit is eager to collaborate with Bravo and integrate his experience into the team’s strategy:
“He’s a legend. I’ve watched him on TV for years. His presence adds immense value to the team, both tactically and culturally. There’s a lot to learn from him, and I’m looking forward to working together.”
Leadership Changes at KKR
In a significant development, veteran India batter Ajinkya Rahane has been named the new captain of KKR, replacing Shreyas Iyer, who will now lead Punjab Kings. Meanwhile, Venkatesh Iyer will serve as the vice-captain this season. Expressing his gratitude, Rahane said:
“It’s an honor to lead such a prestigious franchise. I am thankful to Venky Sir and the management for their trust. Our focus now is to ensure team unity as we head into the season.”
KKR’s IPL 2025 Opener
The defending champions KKR will kick off their IPL 2025 campaign against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens on Saturday. With Bravo’s leadership, Pandit’s strategic acumen, and a strong squad, the Knights are determined to defend their title and continue their winning momentum.
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