Dwayne Bravo ended his Indian Premier League (IPL) career three years ago, but his impact on the competition is still undeniable. With 154 wickets over ten seasons, Bravo, a modern-day IPL legend, is still the most successful pacer in CSK’s history and finished as one of the best all-rounders the league has ever seen. He continued to work as a coach for the Chennai Super Kings even after he retired, but last year he moved on, closing a wonderful chapter.
Their relationship, which is based on mutual respect and innate understanding, transcends captain and player. Bravo frequently refers to Dhoni as his “brother from another mother,” a bond built on trust rather than lengthy chats.
However, despite changes in career trajectories, Bravo and MS Dhoni’s personal friendship has not changed.
One such instance occurred during CSK’s eagerly awaited 2018 comeback after a two-year hiatus. Given his reputation as an athlete, Bravo’s full-length dive to stop the ball while fielding at long on seemed standard. But he was truly taken aback by what transpired.
When we returned in 2018 following the ban, I fielded at long-on and dove for a ball. I’m obviously older than thirty-four. “Never dive on my cricket pitch again,” he told me as he passed after the over, after calling me into the ring. Saving four runs is not as essential as your four overs. Bravo said on the “Beard Before Wicket” podcast, “I was like, Wow, when he said that.”
“I then began fielding in the circle. He does that sort of thing. He desires you since he is aware of your strengths. He doesn’t want you to try to be someone else or accomplish anything. Bravo said, “This is what I want from you, this is your job, and I’m happy with this.”
But their trust was established much earlier. Bravo recalled his initial encounter with Dhoni on the pitch, which immediately established the tone of their collaboration.
He enquired about my field throughout my opening over. When I told him what I wanted, he said, “Oh no, maybe.” “No, no, it’s okay, this is what I want,” I replied. Bravo recounted, “I believe he never spoke to me about field placement again after that.”
“I had the impression that he trusted me at that precise moment and that he was knowledgeable about his field. We started referring to each other as brothers from different mothers after that. He simply let me be who I am.
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