Gautam Gambhir departed KKR after winning the IPL 2024 season to become Team India’s head coach.
Dwayne Bravo has been named the new mentor for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season in 2025. Bravo, a T20 icon, declared his retirement from all forms of cricket following a disappointing Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024 season due to injuries. Bravo signed on as KKR’s new mentor, replacing Gautam Gambhir, just hours after announcing his retirement from the sport.
“The addition of DJ Bravo to our lineup is a very exciting development. His strong drive to win wherever he plays, as well as his tremendous experience and knowledge, would greatly help the franchise and all of its players. We are also happy that he will be involved in all of our franchises throughout the world, including CPL, MLC, and ILT20,” KKR CEO Venky Mysore said in a statement.
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) September 27, 2024
Bravo also conveyed his excitement about starting a new phase in his career. “I’ve played in the CPL for the last ten years with the Trinbago Knight Riders,” he declared. I have a great deal of respect for the Knight Riders’ methods because I have played for and against them in a number of leagues.
It’s a unique venue because of the founders’ enthusiasm, the management’s expertise, and the cozy, familial atmosphere. As I go from being a player to a coach and guide to the players of tomorrow, this is the ideal platform for me.”
The legendary West Indian cricket player had already left the IPL and retired from international cricket in 2021.
Bravo posted on Instagram saying, “Dear Cricket, today is the day I say goodbye to the game that has given me everything.” Bravo had already said at the beginning of the current CPL season that it would be his final one. I knew at the age of five that this was my dream job and that playing this sport was my destiny. I devoted my entire life to you and had no interest in anything else. You granted me and my family the life I had always imagined in exchange. I am incredibly grateful to you for that.”He has worked with his IPL team, Chennai Super Kings, for the past 12 months. In addition, he was named Afghanistan’s bowling consultant for the 2024 T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies.”Playing professional cricket for twenty-one years has been an amazing ride, with many highs and a few lows. Most significantly, I was able to fulfill my dream because I always gave you my all. Even though I would really like to keep our connection going, it’s time to accept reality. My body can no longer take the pain, the breakdowns, the strain, and my mind’s desire to carry on.
The message stated, “I can’t put myself in a situation where I might disappoint my fans, my teammates, or the teams I represent.”
Over the course of an 18-year career, Bravo became the standard for T20 cricket, winning championships with the West Indies, PSL, and IPL. He also became a two-time global champion. With 631 wickets from 582 appearances in the format, he finishes second only to fellow countryman Kieron Pollard.
Thus, I humbly declare my official resignation from the sport. The Champion says goodbye for now. I have no regrets about my career or this choice, despite the bittersweet nature of its ending. I’m excited for my upcoming chapter now,” the post said in its conclusion.
