'Brother from another mother': Dwayne Bravo opens up on relationship with MS Dhoni

Former West Indies star Dwayne Bravo has offered a heartfelt glimpse into the bond he shares with MS Dhoni, crediting the former India captain’s leadership for shaping some of the best years of his IPL career at Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Describing Dhoni as a “brother from another mother,” Bravo said the trust and freedom he received at CSK played a huge role in his success.

In a recent interaction, Bravo explained that Dhoni’s approach as a captain was refreshingly straightforward. Instead of overloading players with instructions, Dhoni encouraged them to concentrate on their core strengths and stick to their roles.

Recalling one incident, Bravo said Dhoni once advised him not to dive aggressively in the field, reminding him that his four overs with the ball were far more valuable than saving a few extra runs. From that point on, Bravo adjusted his fielding accordingly, fully understanding the clarity Dhoni brought to team roles.

Bravo also shared how Dhoni’s faith in him became evident very early in a match. After discussing his preferred field placements during his first over, Dhoni never interfered again. That single conversation, Bravo said, made him feel completely trusted and allowed him to play with confidence and freedom.

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According to Bravo, this culture of trust extended beyond Dhoni to the wider CSK setup. He praised Dhoni and head coach Stephen Fleming for creating an environment where players were treated the same regardless of form, without fear of criticism or mood swings from the management.

Bravo represented CSK in two phases - from 2011 to 2015 and from 2018 to 2022 and was part of four IPL title-winning campaigns under Dhoni in 2011, 2018, 2021 and 2022. Even after retiring as a player, his connection with the franchise continued, as he took on the role of bowling coach during the 2023 IPL season.