Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians, a blockbuster opener: Bravo

“I am always looking to do something different for my fans who will be looking forward to seeing me dance again in this IPL,” the West Indian all-rounder said to the team’s official website on the sidelines of team practice. “We have the best fans in the world.” 

Bravo previously turned out for CSK between 2011 and 2015, scoring 706 runs and taking 79 wickets and won the IPL in his first season in yellow. CSK will take on archrival Mumbai Indians in the tournament opener at the Wankhede Stadium on April 7. 

“It’s really the El Clásico, two of the biggest franchises in IPL history... two of the most successful franchises. I’m looking forward to it... everyone’s looking forward to it. I don’t think there can be a bigger tournament opener than this one,” said Bravo, a two-time ‘Purple Cap’ winner for CSK. “These kinds of games, they really get me going.” 

“The start (to a season) is very important, especially in a tournament like the IPL where all the teams are very, very good,” Bravo stated. “It’s a tournament where anything is possible and so you want to start well. It gives you that momentum. It can get a little difficult for teams to recover later on in the tournament,” he continued.

Bravo credited MS Dhoni for his development as a death overs specialist. “He has shown a lot of faith in me, the trust. For me it’s all about preparation. I always like bowling to MS in the end (in practice sessions) as he is one of the best finishers in the game and I challenge myself by bowling to him. I always give him a scenario, sometimes I win and sometimes he wins.” 

“As a leader he is one of the best that has every played the game, he allows players to express themselves, allows them to learn from their mistakes. He’s very cool, very calm and that’s very good,” concluded Bravo.