Why is DJ Bravo Not Playing for CSK in IPL 2023?

Despite winning the previous match versus the Lucknow Super Giants, Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni was visibly unhappy with his bowlers for bowling 13 Wides and three No Balls, while defending a stiff total of 217 runs.

With their most experienced pacer in Deepak Chahar yet to find his rhythm back after his injury, and having bowled his most expensive IPL spell (4-0-55-0) during the aforementioned match, CSK were left with the two uncapped Indian pacers in Tushar Deshpande and Rajvardhan Hangargekar to shoulder the death bowling responsibility.

The inexperienced clearly showed, as the pacers collectively leaked 142 runs in their 11 Overs, with Dhoni and the management clearly missing the services of their most experienced pacer and death bowling specialist over the years in Dwayne Bravo.

In fact, Bravo was CSK’s leading wicket-taker during the previous edition of the cash-rich league, scalping 16 wickets across 10 innings at an economy rate of 8.70 runs per Over.

Why is DJ Bravo Not Playing for CSK in IPL 2023?

The West Indian legendary allrounder had announced his retirement from the IPL in December last year, and was right away appointed as CSK’s bowling coach for the ongoing season.

“I’m looking forward to this new journey because it’s something I see myself doing after my playing days are fully over. I enjoy working with bowlers and it’s a role I’m excited about,” remarked Bravo after being handed a new responsibility in the ‘Yellow Army’ in IPL 2023.

Bravo in fact, retired with his head held high – as the leading wicket-taker of the IPL with 183 scalps across 158 innings, at a strike rate and economy rate of 17.0 and 8.36 respectively.

He was also the first player to win the Purple Cap for most wickets in an IPL season twice (2013 and 2015).

Dwayne Bravo IPL teams

Bravo had participated in the IPL across each season since the inaugural edition in 2008, expect in the year 2017 when he was ruled out of the tournament due to injury.

He was part of the Mumbai Indians squad during the first three seasons, and then played for CSK from 2011 – 2022.

When the franchise was banned from participation in the league for two seasons (2016 and 2017), he played for the Gujarat Lions during the 2016 edition.

The now 39-year-old was an invaluable part of CSK’s IPL title triumphs in 2011, 2018, 2021, and also the 2014 Champions League victory.