"He has a natural ability and skill...": Dwayne Bravo on Pathirana

Dwayne Bravo, the renowned West Indies all-rounder and current bowling coach of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), has brought a wealth of experience and expertise to the Indian Premier League (IPL). Since taking over the role from Laxmipathy Balaji in 2023, Bravo has played a pivotal role in enhancing the performance of CSK’s fast-bowling arsenal. After losing the important encounter against LSG in Lucknow by 8 wickets, CSK is now looking for perfect revenge in their den “chepauk” against LSG today. Before the clash, CSK’s bowling coach praised bowlers and provided some insights on training sessions.

Dwayne Bravo’s Impression of Matheesha Pathirana

One of the standout talents under Bravo’s guidance is Matheesha Pathirana, whom Bravo fondly calls “Baby Malinga” and “Baby Goat” owing to his remarkable resemblance to the legendary Lasith Malinga in both action and effectiveness. Pathirana’s innate ability and skill set have impressed Bravo, who believes that some players, like Pathirana, require minimal coaching due to their natural flair for the game.

See Also: IPL 2024: Player Analysis: How did Yuzvendra Chahal become a bonafide IPL legend?

“Pathirana is very special. I call him Baby Malinga. I also call him Baby Goat. He is not someone you try to coach because he has a natural ability and skill,” Bravo said, heaping praise on the Sri Lankan fast bowler.

Mustafizur Rahman’s Unique Skill Set

Bravo also lauds Mustafizur Rahman’s contributions, highlighting his unconventional bowling action and mastery of delivering slower balls. Rahman’s reputation for having one of the best slower balls in the world has made him a valuable asset for CSK. Bravo acknowledges the importance of empowering such players with knowledge and information rather than overwhelming them with excessive coaching.

“Fizz (Mustafizur) is also very special. He has a unique action. He has the reputation of having one of the best slower balls in the world. You don’t try to over-coach these players. You just empower them with knowledge, and information and try to keep it simple,” Bravo added.

Tushar Deshpande’s Performance

In addition to Pathirana and Rahman, Bravo expresses his admiration for Tushar Deshpande, whose consistent performances have caught the attention of both fans and experts alike. Deshpande’s growth and resilience on the field have earned him praise from Bravo, reflecting the coach’s keen eye for talent and dedication to nurturing it.

“Tushar, I am very very impressed with him. Especially last season and also this season. We said in our team meetings, we want to be the smartest bowling team in the competition. We see to it that we don’t repeat our mistakes. We have to be prepared for every scenario. We do drills, especially by keeping in mind the ground dimension. We practice with vision, with a purpose. When people look at us, they should see a plan, sometimes it doesn’t work, but most times, it will,” Bravo added.

CSK’s Strategy for Bowling Excellence

Under Bravo’s guidance, CSK aspires to be the epitome of bowling excellence in the IPL, aiming to outsmart their opponents with meticulous planning and execution. The team’s commitment to avoiding repetitive mistakes and preparing for every conceivable scenario underscores Bravo’s emphasis on strategic prowess and adaptability.

“You can’t last long without a yorker. If you look at players, who have had most of the success in T20 cricket, Lasith Malinga, Bumrah or Pathirana, myself when I played, we had a similar plan, try to bowl as many yorkers as possible,” he added.

Proficiency in Bowling Yorkers

Bravo emphasizes the significance of mastering the art of bowling yorkers, citing it as a crucial skill for bowlers in T20 cricket. Through focused coaching sessions, Bravo instils confidence in his bowlers, encouraging them to embrace the challenge and refine their yorker deliveries to perfection.