IPL 2025: New KKR mentor Dwayne Bravo says 'I have my style' on comparison with Gautam Gambhir

As Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) gear up for their IPL 2025 title defense, new mentor Dwayne Bravo addressed comparisons with his predecessor, Gautam Gambhir, making it clear that both have distinct styles of leadership.

Dwayne Bravo, a decorated IPL veteran, shared his thoughts at KKR's pre-season press conference in Kolkata on March 13, where he emphasized his own unique approach to guiding the team.

"It was our duty to go into the auction and try to get back as much as the same squad of players from the championship-winning team together. Unfortunately, we lost some players, but the thing is GG (Gautam Gambhir) has his style, I have my style. We're both successful in our own ways, but definitely, I have messaged him a few times," Bravo said.

Gambhir, who mentored KKR to their third IPL title in 2024, has since taken up the role of India's head coach. Bravo, stepping into the mentor role for the first time with KKR, brings a wealth of experience from his playing days with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI). Having played 161 IPL matches, he has accumulated 1,560 runs and taken 183 wickets, making him one of the most successful all-rounders in the tournament's history.

KKR Coach Cuts Off Question About Gambhir

At the same press conference, a journalist asked KKR vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer about Bravo's mentorship and whether the team missed Gambhir. Before Iyer could respond, head coach Chandrakant Pandit intervened, saying, "Please ask questions about the current scenario. Let's not go back. He (Bravo) has already answered about it."

This moment highlighted KKR's determination to focus on the present rather than dwell on past successes. With key players like Rinku Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Harshit Rana, and Ramandeep Singh retained, KKR also made strong moves in the auction by bringing back Venkatesh Iyer for a staggering ₹23.75 crore and re-signing young talent Angkrish Raghuvanshi.

Iyer, now KKR's vice-captain, also addressed the pressure of his hefty price tag. "Honestly, wherever I go, I get asked this question, so it (price-tag syndrome) is existent, right? You can't ignore it altogether. But as I told you, when the IPL will start, it really doesn't matter whether you're a part of the playing XI. You are a part of the team that is going out there to win," Iyer explained.

He further added, "The pressure is always there. Irrespective. If not the price tag, it will be the selection, it'll be batting in multiple positions, bowling, fielding, everything. The pressure will still be there. But I think it's up to me how I absorb that pressure."

With a balanced squad and an experienced new mentor in Bravo, KKR looks poised to defend their title. While Gambhir's tenure brought success, Bravo is keen to make his mark with his own leadership style, ensuring the team stays focused on the present and continues its winning momentum in IPL 2025.