It’s truly a transitioning in generations period in the IPL as another mega-T20-star Dwayne Bravo has retired from the IPL. The leading-wicket taker in the history of the IPL, Bravo will be joining his last franchise, Chennai Super Kings, as a bowling coach from the IPL 2023.
Last month, it was Mumbai Indians stalwart Kieron Pollard who retired from the IPL and joined the franchise as a batting coach. Pollard was set to be released by MI and took this decision.
Dwayne Bravo was released by CSK last month. On Friday, the list of the players registered for the IPL 2023 auction was announced, but the top three brackets – of INR 2 crore, 1.5 crore, and 1 crore – didn’t include Bravo’s name in it.
Soon, the announcement was made by the franchise that the legendary CSK all-rounder has taken retirement from the IPL and will be part of the CSK coaching staff in next season.
“I’m looking forward to this new journey because it’s something I see myself doing after my playing days is fully over. I enjoy working with bowlers, and it’s a role I’m excited about. From player to coach, I don’t think I have to adjust much, because while I’m playing, I always work with bowlers and try to come up with plans and ideas on how to have that one step ahead of the batsmen,” the 39-year-old Bravo said in his statement.
“The only difference is I will no longer be standing at mid-on or mid-off! I never thought I would be the leading wicket taker in the history of IPL. But I’m just happy to be a part of IPL history!”
Lakshmipathy Balaji was CSK’s bowling coach till last season has taken a break for one year for “personal commitments”, but Balaji will be involved with the Super Kings Academy.
Dwayne Bravo finishes the IPL with 183 wickets to his name, 13 more than the second-placed former Mumbai Indians pacer Lasith Malinga, and 17 more than the next active bowler in the IPL Yuzvendra Chahal. He also scored 1560 runs at a strike rate of 129.57.
Dwayne Bravo has featured in every IPL season from 2008 except in 2017 when he couldn’t play due to injury.
He started his IPL career with Mumbai Indians in 2008, and was with the team for three seasons, before being bought by CSK in 2011. When CSK were suspended for two seasons – in 2016 and 2017 – Bravo was picked by Gujarat Lions, before being retained by Super Kings in 2018. He won three IPL titles, all with CSK in 2011, 2018 and 2021, and won the Purple Cap in 2013 (32 wickets) and 2015 (26 wickets).
