Last Updated:
Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders have a new mentor in Dwayne Bravo and a fresh captain in Ajinkya Rahane for IPL 2025.
The KKR Thinktank (From left) Chandrakant Pandit, Dwayne Bravo and Ajinkya Rahane. (Credit: IG/kkriders)
Kolkata Knight Riders are gearing up to defend their IPL title with the three-time champions set to host Royal Challengers Bengaluru on March 22 at Eden Gardens in the season opening contest. KKR have lost to key members of their title-winning squad from last year including Shreyas Iyer and franchise legend Gautam Gambhir.
Iyer, their captain last year, wasn’t retained by KKR ahead of the IPL mega auction where he was signed by Punjab Kings for an astronomical sum. Gambhir, who was the mentor, later joined the Indian men’s cricket team as their head coach leaving the team with two high-profile vacancies.
Also Read: KKR Look To Engage Core And Lift Title Once Again
Former West Indies allrounder and an IPL legend Dwayne Bravo was roped in as Gambhir’s replacement while the vastly experienced Ajinkya Rahane became their new captain.
Rahane had a brief stint with KKR in IPL 2022 when he scored 133 runs from seven innings. He brings with himself rich T20 and captaincy experience having led India, Mumbai and Rajasthan Royals before.
Bravo has now revealed how he didn’t mind seeking Gambhir’s advice on the ‘succesful formula’ he implemented to guide KKR to their third IPL silverware.
“Unfortunately, we lost some players. But I think GG (Gautam Gambhir) had his style, I have my style. We’re both successful in our own ways. Definitely, I messaged him a few times and stuff,” Bravo was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
“But again, I will be leaning a lot on these guys because they had a successful formula. And it’s important that we follow that formula. I think it’s going to be disrespectful of me not to try and find out some of the good things he did last season. But also, the core of the team is here,” he added.
Bravo will be working with KKR coach Chandrakant Pandit as the team hopes to have another successful campaign culminating into a fourth IPL title.
