As the Indian Premier League 2025 prepares to resume following a dramatic pause due to regional tensions, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have welcomed back a familiar face—West Indies cricket legend and team mentor Dwayne Bravo. Bravo, along with fellow Caribbean stars Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and Romario Shepherd, has returned to India ahead of KKR’s highly anticipated clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on May 17.
Bravo confirmed his arrival with a cheerful Instagram video posted from an airport buggy, in which he can be heard saying, “We are back,” in Hindi, much to the delight of fans. The video also featured glimpses of KKR’s overseas stalwarts Russell and Narine, reaffirming the franchise’s readiness as the league picks up momentum once again.
The IPL was temporarily halted on May 9 following escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. The conflict, sparked by a terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, led to India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor targeting militant infrastructure across the border. Pakistan responded with missile and drone strikes, prompting airspace closures in several northern and western regions of India, leading to the league’s suspension and evacuation of foreign players.
With a ceasefire now in place and security conditions stabilizing, the BCCI has announced the resumption of IPL 2025. Franchises have quickly mobilized to bring back overseas players and staff to complete the season.
KKR, currently eyeing a strong finish, has two more league matches remaining—against RCB on May 17 and Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 26 at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium.
While Bravo and several others have made their return, not all international players have followed suit. Some, particularly from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, remain hesitant due to lingering security concerns. Jack Fraser-McGurk of Australia, for instance, has declined to rejoin the Delhi Capitals, prompting the franchise to enlist Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman as a replacement.
As the IPL 2025 resumes, all eyes are on how teams adapt and perform in the wake of this unprecedented mid-season disruption. For fans, the return of iconic figures like Bravo signals a hopeful return to thrilling cricket action.
