Dwayne Bravo signs on as KKR’s mentor after retiring from CSK, replaces Gautam Gambhir

Former West Indies cricketer Dwayne Bravo has been announced as the new mentor for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), shortly after he revealed his retirement from all forms of cricket in an emotional Instagram post. The veteran all-rounder, who was a key player for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL, will now bring his extensive experience to KKR.

Having played 582 T20 matches, Bravo’s record speaks for itself—631 wickets, nearly 7,000 runs, and more championship wins than any other cricketer. His transition from playing to mentoring is a natural progression, having already tasted success as a bowling coach with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2023.

Bravo steps into the big shoes of Gautam Gambhir, who had a very successful stint as KKR’s captain, leading the team to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014. Unlike Gambhir, who mentored KKR briefly before transitioning to other roles, Bravo will not only mentor KKR but will also oversee other franchises under the Knight Riders banner, including Trinbago Knight Riders (CPL), Los Angeles Knight Riders (MLC), and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ILT20).

The announcement came after Bravo met with KKR CEO Venky Mysore during the Caribbean Premier League, where they discussed the role and vision for the franchise. Mysore expressed his excitement about Bravo joining the KKR family, highlighting his relentless drive to win and deep cricketing knowledge as valuable assets for the team.

In his retirement announcement, Bravo reflected on his 21-year cricketing journey, thanking the sport for giving him the life he had dreamed of. “From the age of five, I knew this was what I wanted to do—this was the sport I was destined to play. I had no interest in anything else, and I dedicated my entire life to you. In return, you gave me the life I dreamed of for myself and my family. For that, I can’t thank you enough,” Bravo wrote.