Former West Indies all rounder Dwayne Bravo has showered praise on Mahendra Singh Dhoni, describing the former India captain as his brother from another mother. Bravo, who represented Chennai Super Kings for ten seasons and played a key role in the franchise’s three Indian Premier League title wins, spoke about Dhoni’s calm leadership and deep understanding of his players’ strengths.
Bravo recalled an incident from the 2018 IPL season, when CSK returned after serving a two year suspension. While fielding at long on, Bravo dived to stop a boundary, only to be advised by Dhoni to avoid risking injury.
He said Dhoni later told him that his four overs as a bowler were more valuable to the team than saving a few runs in the field. The moment left a lasting impression on Bravo, who said it made him reassess how he approached fielding.
He explained that Dhoni has an exceptional ability to recognise what each player brings to the team and prefers them to focus on their core responsibilities. According to Bravo, Dhoni never tries to change a player’s natural style and instead makes expectations clear, allowing individuals to perform with confidence and freedom.
Speaking further, Bravo described Dhoni as a quiet and relaxed leader who trusts his teammates and lets them express themselves. He recalled his first match for CSK in 2011 against Rajasthan Royals, when Dhoni asked him about his preferred field placements. Although Dhoni initially suggested a change, he accepted Bravo’s request and never interfered with his fielding plans again. Bravo said that moment helped build mutual trust between them.
From that point on, Bravo said their bond grew stronger, and they began referring to each other as brothers from different mothers. He credited Dhoni for creating an environment where players feel trusted and valued, allowing them to perform at their best without unnecessary pressure.
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