Kolkata Knight Riders’ Dwayne Bravo addresses the media during a practice session ahead of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 T20 cricket match between Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders, at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
| Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR
Dwayne Bravo has had a recurring request from the young Kolkata Knight Riders bowlers in IPL 2026. It is to be taught the dipping slower ball that the free-spirited 42-year-old mastered during his playing days in the shortest format. Lungi Ngidi, who is part of the Delhi Capitals set-up, is a prominent beneficiary of learning the variation from the former West Indies all-rounder during their association with Chennai Super Kings.
“Especially since Lungi talked about it, everyone wants me to teach them that slower ball. Thanks, Lungi,” Bravo said amid a ripple of laughter at the pre-match interaction on Thursday (May 7, 2026).
As mentor of KKR, Bravo’s primary role in the coaching set-up is to work with the bowling group. In addition to helping develop newer skills with the ball, Bravo lays emphasis on the ability to read and understand game-situations.
“My strength was my ability to read and understand the game. That is what I try to coach more than anything else,” he explained. “The brain is the most important thing. And that’s what I try to teach the younger bowling group. Because if they are able to think, they will all be better bowlers.”
Asked about Varun Chakaravarthy’s return to form, Bravo said that a small break due to injury was needed for the spinner to refresh mentally.
“Varun just came from the T20 World Cup, which was also a very hectic tournament. The group was very supportive of him and a mental break was also very needed in a tournament like the IPL,” he said.
Published – May 07, 2026 08:40 pm IST
