Kolkata Knight Riders rope in Gautam Gambhir's replacement ahead of IPL 2025

The Kolkata Knight Riders won their third IPL trophy earlier this year.

On September 27, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) named their new mentor for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, replacing Gautam Gambhir.

Gambhir, who led KKR to their first two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014, had returned to the franchise in the role of a mentor ahead of the IPL 2024 season. The former KKR skipper delivered instantly. He partnered with captain Shreyas Iyer and head coach Chandrakant Pandit to propel the Shah Rukh Khan-owned franchise to their third IPL title.

However, his reunion with KKR lasted only one season as he took up the role of the head coach of the Indian cricket team. Gambhir was announced as the new India head coach by the BCCI on July 9. He took over the role from Rahul Dravid, whose tenure ended with a triumph at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

Who is the new mentor of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)?

Legendary West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has been roped in as the new mentor of KKR. Bravo, who took retirement from all forms of cricket recently, will replace Gambhir as KKR’s mentor ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. This means Bravo will end his long-term association with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

Apart from KKR, he will be in charge of Knight Riders’ sister teams in other franchise leagues: Trinbago Knight Riders (CPL), Los Angeles Knight Riders (MLC) and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ILT20).

KKR announced this news on their social media handles with the caption: “Say hello to our new Mentor, DJ ‘sir champion’ Bravo! Welcome to the City of Champions!”

Say hello to our new Mentor, DJ 'sir champion' Bravo! 💜Welcome to the City of Champions! 🎶🏆 pic.twitter.com/Kq03t4J4ia

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) September 27, 2024

Bravo said in a statement: “I’ve been part of the Trinbago Knight Riders for the last 10 years in the CPL. Having played for and against the Knight Riders in various leagues, I have a lot of respect for how they operate. The owners’ passion, the professionalism of the management, and the family-like environment make it a special place. This is the perfect platform for me as I transition from playing to mentoring and coaching the next generation of players.”

Dwayne Bravo joins KKR for IPL 2025 season soon after retirement from professional cricket

On September 26, Bravo confirmed that he had played his last professional game, which came in the ongoing Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024. Bravo had already announced that the CPL 2024 would be his last CPL season.

However, after sustaining a groin injury during the competition, his CPL season ended prematurely, ahead of the playoffs.

In the IPL, Bravo will leave the job of CSK’s bowling coach to join KKR as their new mentor. Apart from CSK, he has been part of the coaching setup of the Afghanistan cricket team as well.

The 40-year-old Bravo is the leading wicket-taker in T20 cricket history and the third-highest in IPL. He was the first player to win two Purple Caps in the IPL.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.