Kolkata Knight Riders new mentor Dwayne Bravo and captain Ajinkya Rahane throughout a press convention in Kolkata on March 13, 2025. Photograph:X/@KKRiders
New Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Dwayne Bravo doesn’t need the Indian Premier League defending champion to alter its successful components.
Bravo has communicated with Gautam Gambhir, who mentored the aspect to its third title earlier than transferring on to teach India, whereas taking over the brand new accountability.
“It’s going to be disrespectful of me to not try to discover out a few of the good issues he (Gambhir) did final season. The core of the group is right here. It was our obligation to enter the public sale and attempt to get again as a lot as the identical squad of gamers from the championship successful group. We have been capable of get that. Sadly, we misplaced some gamers,” Bravo stated on the season opening press convention of the franchise on the Eden Backyard in Kolkata on Thursday (March 13, 2025).
“GG has his model, I’ve my model. We’re each profitable in our personal methods. Positively, I messaged him a number of instances. I shall be leaning quite a bit on these guys as a result of they’d a profitable components. It’s necessary that we comply with that components.”
Bravo, who was a part of the Caribbean Premier League champion Trinbago Knight Riders, a sister franchise of KKR, stated, “That power and that vibe, I’m going to attempt to convey that right here as nicely. It’s already a profitable group. We take a look at constructing on that.”
Captain Ajinkya Rahane caught to his ‘group first’ philosophy. “It’s an honour to be the captain of this glorious franchise. Chandu (coach Chandrakant Pandit) Sir and I labored collectively when he was with the Mumbai group. He’s very disciplined, targeted, and is aware of the right way to get one of the best out of each particular person,” stated Rahane.
“For me, it’s at all times about having good communication with our gamers. Giving them that freedom on the sector to precise themselves and try to perceive one another. It is going to be a problem for us to defend the title. That’s why we play cricket.
“Our preparation has been actually good. We had an excellent 10-day camp in Mumbai after which right here. I count on everybody to have good intent, good attitudes.”
Pandit stated coping with a brand new captain and a brand new mentor was not troublesome. “There’s a core group. In regards to the assist workers change, they’re all skilled,” stated Pandit.
KKR vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer stated despite the fact that he couldn’t keep away from the eye as a result of his price ticket (Rs 23.75 crore), which made him the third most costly participant on the mega public sale, he tried to soak up the stress. “When the IPL begins (on March 22 with KKR assembly Royal Challenger Bengaluru right here), it actually won’t matter for what value you have been picked or what is predicted out of you. If you’re taking the sector for a aspect, you’ll be anticipated to do nicely,” stated Venkatesh
Exhibiting camaraderie, Rahane supported his deputy. “Venkatesh Iyer deserves that value. Individuals are speaking about all this stuff however he has achieved nicely for his franchise on quite a lot of events,” stated Rahane.
Revealed – March 13, 2025 06:25 PM is
