Is IPL 2025 Set to Witness KKR Mentor Dwayne Bravo's Return Alongside Russell and Narine?

Mumbai, May 14 (NationPress) Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Dwayne Bravo, along with other West Indies players including Romerio Shepherd, has returned to India as the Indian Premier League (IPL) prepares to resume. The tournament will kick off again with a match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on May 17.

Bravo, the renowned West Indies cricketer, previously spent numerous years in India as a prominent player for Chennai Super Kings, where he made significant contributions through his exceptional medium pace bowling and powerful lower-order hitting. Upon retiring as a player, he continued his association with the IPL, first serving as a bowling coach for CSK before taking on the role of mentor for KKR.

He confirmed his return to India for the remainder of the IPL via a video posted on his Instagram account.

In the video, Bravo is seen in an electric vehicle at the airport, where he is heard saying, "We are back" in response to a question in Hindi about how he is feeling. KKR's star overseas players Andre Russell and Sunil Narine also made an appearance in Bravo's Instagram story.

Bravo had initially left India along with other international players and support staff when the IPL 2025 was suspended on May 9, due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. India had targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan as part of Operation Sindoor, following an attack on innocent tourists in Pahalgam that tragically claimed 26 lives, including 25 Indians and one Nepali.

In retaliation to Operation Sindoor, Pakistan launched missile and drone attacks on several Indian cities along its northern and western borders, leading to the closure of all airports in those regions.

However, with the BCCI announcing the IPL 2025's restart after both countries reached a ceasefire agreement, franchises have urgently contacted foreign players and support staff to return to India for the remaining matches.

KKR still has two matches left in the league phase. After facing RCB on May 17, they will compete against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on May 26.

While Bravo has made his way back, some players, including Rashid Khan, have chosen to remain in India, while others from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa are hesitant to return due to ongoing safety concerns.

Aussie Jack Fraser-McGurk has already declined to rejoin IPL 2025, resulting in his franchise, Delhi Capitals, selecting Mustafizur Rahman from Bangladesh as his replacement.