'I have my style': Dwayne Bravo on KKR mentor role
What's the story
Dwayne Bravo, the new mentor for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has responded to comparisons with his predecessor Gautam Gambhir. At KKR's pre-season press conference in Kolkata, Bravo stressed his own way of mentoring the team. "GG (Gautam Gambhir) has his style, I have my style," he said. "We're both successful in our own ways." KKR are set to enter IPL 2025 as defending champions. Gambhir was their mentor last season.
Mentor transition
KKR to bank on Bravo's experience
Under Gambhir's guidance, KKR claimed their third IPL title in 2024. The former became Team India's head coach thereafter. Bravo, who is taking up this new role for the first time with KKR, comes with a lot of experience from his time with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI). He has played 161 IPL matches, scoring 1,560 runs and taking 183 wickets. This makes him one of the most successful all-rounders in the tournament's history.
Current scenario
KKR's focus on the present
During the press conference, a journalist asked KKR's vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer about Bravo's mentorship and if the team missed Gambhir. However, head coach Chandrakant Pandit interrupted to keep the focus on current matters. This incident underscored KKR's commitment to concentrate on their present lineup rather than past accomplishments.
Response
Iyer discusses pressure of high price tag
Now KKR's vice-captain, Iyer spoke about the pressure of his massive price tag of ₹23.75 crore. "Honestly, wherever I go, I get asked this question," he said. "But as I told you, when the IPL will start, it really doesn't matter whether you're a part of the playing XI." He added pressure is always there and it's on him to absorb it.