Kolkata Knight Riders Replace Gautam Gambhir with Dwayne Bravo as Mentor for IPL 2025

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have made a significant change to their coaching staff ahead of the IPL 2025 season, appointing Dwayne Bravo as their new mentor. This decision comes shortly after the legendary West Indies all-rounder announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. Bravo will be stepping into the role previously held by former KKR captain Gautam Gambhir, who left to become the head coach of India’s senior men’s cricket team.

Dwayne Bravo, widely regarded as one of the greatest T20 cricketers, retired after a long and successful career. He played his final match in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024 for Trinbago Knight Riders, but an injury forced him to retire mid-season. Bravo’s impact on the game is unparalleled, as he holds the record for most wickets in T20 cricket, with 631 wickets in 582 matches.

While Bravo has never played for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, he has been a key player for their sister franchise, Trinbago Knight Riders, in the CPL.

Gautam Gambhir’s Departure to Team India

Gautam Gambhir, who led KKR to their third IPL title in 2024, has vacated his position as the team’s mentor to join Team India as the head coach. Gambhir’s leadership and mentoring played a crucial role in KKR’s success, but his move to the national team opened up an opportunity for someone with fresh perspectives and experience.

In his new role as mentor, Dwayne Bravo will be responsible for mentoring KKR players, sharing his wealth of knowledge, and helping them improve their T20 game. His experience as a player in the IPL and his recent stint as the bowling coach for Chennai Super Kings will be valuable assets for the KKR squad.

Venky Mysore, CEO of Knight Riders Group, expressed his excitement about Bravo’s appointment, stating, “DJ Bravo joining us is a very exciting development. His deep desire to win and his extensive experience will benefit the franchise and players immensely.” Mysore also highlighted that Bravo will be involved with other Knight Riders franchises globally, including in leagues such as CPL, MLC, and ILT20.

Bravo has been a key figure in several title-winning campaigns for Chennai Super Kings and Trinbago Knight Riders. His tactical insights and ability to mentor younger players have been praised during his coaching stint with CSK, where he served as the bowling coach after his retirement from the IPL in 2023.

In addition to his work with CSK, Bravo also worked with the Afghanistan team during the 2024 T20 World Cup as their bowling consultant, showcasing his ability to transition seamlessly from player to coach.