Synopsis
Dwayne Bravo, the new mentor of KKR, emphasizes the importance of sticking to successful strategies as the team prepares for IPL 2025. He draws insights from former mentor Gautam Gambhir, highlighting the need for continuity and building on past successes while embracing his unique leadership style.Key Takeaways
- Dwayne Bravo stresses continuity for KKR in IPL 2025.
- Learning from Gautam Gambhir's strategies is essential.
- Ajinkya Rahane takes over as captain with a focus on team unity.
- Preparation has been strong, with a recent training camp.
- Venkatesh Iyer remains unfazed by high expectations.
Kolkata, March 13 (NationPress) The recently appointed mentor of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Dwayne Bravo, has asserted that the reigning champions will adhere to their successful strategy in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as they gear up for the 2025 season. While Bravo introduces his unique approach, he underlined the significance of continuity, taking cues from former mentor Gautam Gambhir, who guided KKR to their third title last year before assuming leadership of the Indian national team.
As KKR prepares for a new season with a fresh mentor and captain, Bravo stated—there’s no need to change what isn’t broken.
After discussing with Gambhir, the mastermind behind KKR’s 2024 success who has now transitioned to coaching Team India, Bravo stressed the value of maintaining continuity.
“It would be disrespectful not to learn from some of the effective strategies he (Gambhir) implemented last season. The core of the team remains intact. We aimed to retain as much of the championship-winning squad as possible during the auction, and we succeeded in doing so. Unfortunately, we did lose some players,” Bravo mentioned at the franchise's season-opening press conference at Eden Gardens here on Thursday.
The former West Indies all-rounder, known for his winning history, recognized Gambhir’s achievements but is confident in his own methods. “GG has his style, I have my style. We’re both successful in our own rights. Certainly, I’ve reached out to him a few times. I intend to draw heavily from these guys because they had a winning formula. It’s essential that we adhere to that formula.”
Bravo, who previously led Trinbago Knight Riders—KKR’s sister franchise in the Caribbean Premier League—to multiple championships, is keen to infuse his energy and passion into the team. “I will strive to bring that energy and vibe here. This is already a successful team, and we aim to build upon that,” he added.
With Shreyas Iyer no longer at the forefront, KKR has entrusted Ajinkya Rahane with the captaincy. The seasoned batter, recognized for his calm leadership, is welcoming the challenge wholeheartedly. "It’s a privilege to captain this extraordinary franchise," Rahane remarked, recognizing the responsibility.
He is also eager to collaborate with coach Chandrakant Pandit, someone he is familiar with from their time in Mumbai’s domestic circuit. “Chandu Sir is highly disciplined, focused, and knows how to maximize the potential of every individual.”
For Rahane, fostering team unity is crucial. “For me, it’s always about ensuring effective communication among our players. Granting them the freedom to express themselves on the field and fostering understanding among one another is vital. Defending the title will indeed be challenging. That’s why we play cricket,” he conveyed with quiet assurance.
With preparations underway, Rahane feels KKR is poised for success. “Our training has been quite effective. We completed a productive 10-day camp in Mumbai and then here. I expect everyone to approach this with good intent and a positive attitude.”
If there’s one player under significant scrutiny this season, it’s KKR’s newly appointed vice-captain, Venkatesh Iyer. The all-rounder became the third most expensive player in IPL history after being sold for an astonishing ₹23.75 crore during the auction. However, Iyer remains undaunted by the immense expectations.
"When the IPL kicks off (on March 22 with KKR facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru), it truly won’t matter how much you were purchased for or the expectations placed upon you. When you step onto the field for a team, you’re expected to perform well," he stated.
