Sometimes, leadership shows up in the smallest moments, and for Dwayne Bravo, one such moment came during the 2018 edition of the Indian Premier League. The former West Indies all-rounder recently opened up about an incident involving MS Dhoni that perfectly captured why the Chennai Super Kings captain earned so much respect from his players. Speaking on a podcast, Dwayne Bravo described Dhoni not just as a leader but as someone he came to see as a “brother from another mother”.
Dwayne Bravo, a long-time CSK player who represented the franchise from 2011 to 2015 and then again from 2018 to 2022, played a key role in three IPL title wins. When CSK returned to the IPL in 2018 after their suspension, Dwayne Bravo was already an experienced player, aware of his role and limitations. During one match, while fielding at long-on, he dived to stop the ball, doing what came naturally to him.
That moment caught MS Dhoni’s attention. Dwayne Bravo recalled that Dhoni immediately called him closer and later walked past him with a message that stayed with him forever. Dhoni told him not to dive on the field again, explaining that his four overs as a bowler were far more valuable to the team than saving four runs on the field. Hearing this, Dwayne Bravo realised how deeply Dhoni understood his players and their importance to the team.
After that conversation, Dwayne Bravo changed how he fielded. He moved into the inner circle, focusing on staying fit and delivering with the ball. What stood out to him was not just the advice but the clarity. Dhoni knew exactly what he wanted from him and didn’t expect him to be anything else. Bravo felt that Dhoni trusted his abilities and respected his experience.
He also shared another instance that strengthened this bond. In Bravo’s very first over of a match, Dhoni asked him about his preferred field placement. Dwayne Bravo explained what he wanted and despite a brief discussion, Dhoni accepted it. From that moment on, Dhoni never interfered with Bravo’s field settings again. For Bravo, that was the point where he truly felt trusted as a bowler who knew his craft.
That trust soon turned into mutual respect and friendship, leading them to jokingly call each other brothers from different mothers. Dwayne Bravo also credited CSK head coach Stephen Fleming for creating the same environment. He praised both Dhoni and Stephen Fleming for being calm, non-judgmental and consistent in how they treat players, regardless of form or results.
For Dwayne Bravo, that steady support and freedom to be himself is what makes Chennai Super Kings a truly special franchise.
