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India Today
11-07-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Inspired by Shane Warne, Salonee Dangore sets sights on dream WCPL journey
Back in 2023, Shreyanka Patil secured a deal in the Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) after being picked by the Guyana Amazon Warriors. Before that, the Bengaluru cricketer had already made a name for herself in the Women's Premier League (WPL), representing Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Indian Dangore's journey, however, is a little different - and quite unique. She has neither played for India nor featured in the WPL, yet she landed an overseas contract with the Trinbago Knight Riders for the WCPL a rare feat at any level, especially in Indian cricket, for a player with no top-tier experience to bag an overseas T20 franchise deal. Traditionally, players like Jemimah Rodrigues, Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, and Deepti Sharma earned their foreign contracts only after proving themselves on the international stage for India. Salonee Dangore works as a net bowler for Delhi Capitals in the WPL. Courtesy: Salonee Dangore Instagram For Salonee, the path has been unconventional - and if she performs well in the West Indies, it might just pave the way for more opportunities wasn't always drawn to cricket. In her early years, she was more inclined towards athletics and track and field events, representing Madhya Pradesh in the Under-14 and Under-17 categories. It was only at the age of 17 that Jose Chacko, a Sports and Youth Welfare officer, suggested to her mother that Salonee should consider taking up cricket that advice, she joined an academy in Indore run by former Ranji Trophy cricketer Sunil Lahore - and there was no looking back. She made her debut for Madhya Pradesh in the 2017-18 season and impressed with her all-round playing for MP, Salonee had the opportunity to work under former India leg-spinner Narendra Hirwani during a training camp - an experience that helped sharpen her skills. In 2024, she made a switch to Chhattisgarh, a move that proved fruitful. She bagged 15 wickets in six matches and scored 144 runs at an average of 24, including a top score of 56 in the Senior Women's One Day Trophy. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Trinbago Knight Riders (@tkriders)Her big break came when the Delhi Capitals (DC) picked her as one of their net bowlers - a role she has held for the past two WPL seasons. In the upcoming WCPL, Salonee will turn out for the Knight Riders, sharing the dressing room with Shikha Pandey and Jess Jonassen - both of whom have been her teammates at Today recently caught up with Salonee, who opened up about her upcoming WCPL stint, her inspirations, and her experience with the are some excerpts from Salonee Dangore's interviewadvertisementFrom shaking hands with Shah Rukh Khan to now playing for his franchise, can we say fairytales exist in real life?Oh yes, absolutely! I'd say that's true because my entire family and I are huge fans of Shah Rukh Khan. I remember my first visit was with my father, and it was during the opening ceremony when we had practice. He was rehearsing for his performance. I had asked my friend Tania - who had previously worked with him - to please try and introduce me to after practice, he came over himself to meet everyone. That moment was magical. And now, to actually get the opportunity to play for his franchise - it genuinely feels like fairy tales can happen in real life. View this post on Instagram A post shared by MP SCORE UPDATE (@mp_score_update)Did you have any hint or did the WCPL call up come out of the blues?Not at all - I was just continuing with my training and whatever practice and conditioning work I had going on. Then suddenly, I received an email, informing me of my selection. That's how I found did you choose cricket as a profession and any other sport you were interested in?I actually started off in athletics. I used to compete in 100m, 200m, long jump, and triple jump, and I even played at KVS Nationals in those events. One day while practising, there was a local cricket club nearby - Sunil Lahore's club. My mum, who used to be a basketball player herself, was advised by her coach to consider enrolling me in cricket. And that's how my journey in cricket much of an influence did Narendra Hirwani have in your career?A huge role. He didn't just help me become technically sound - he made me mentally stronger too. He worked a lot on my mindset. He showed a lot of belief in me, which gave me confidence. I thought to myself - if someone like him sees a potential winner in me, why shouldn't I believe in myself too? That helped me immensely in my development. Salonee Dangore worked under Narendra Hirwani at Madhya Pradesh. Courtesy: Salonee Dangore Instagram advertisementBeing a leg-spinner and an all-rounder, which cricketers have been your inspirations?In the beginning, I watched a lot of videos of Shane Warne. I used to see how he bowled leg-spin in slow motion. More recently, Rashid Khan has been incredibly inspiring - his pace, aggression, and style of leg-spin are so impactful. And as an all-rounder, I really look up to Amelia Kerr. She bowls effective leg-spin and googlies, and contributes significantly with the bat too - her overall impact is very has been the experience of being a part of the Delhi Capitals setup?My experience with DC was amazing. I got the exposure I had been waiting for, and I got to spend time around some absolute legends of the game. Just being in that environment - seeing how they plan, how they carry themselves - it all helped me grow immensely. I also understood what it takes to level up as a cricketer. Salonee Dangore has been with Delhi Capitals for the last 2 seasons. Courtesy: Salonee Dangore Instagram advertisementTell us about your interaction with Meg Lanning. Any special words of advice you got from her?I had quite a few interactions with Meg Lanning. Everyone knows what a legend she is, but she's also so grounded. After our practice sessions, when I bowled to her, I would ask her for feedback, and she was always kind enough to share what could be we had an entire session where she discussed how to bowl to specific types of batters - like how to bowl to a left-hander, where to pitch the ball, and so on. She told me, 'You're doing well, keep working hard.' That really meant a you believe a decent WCPL stint can, maybe, promote you from being a net bowler to a squad member at DC?Definitely. A lot could change for me through the WCPL - not just with DC, but maybe with other franchises too. If I perform well, people will take notice, and I might get more opportunities. I'm just hoping everything goes well. View this post on Instagram A post shared by MP SCORE UPDATE (@mp_score_update)Any talks you have had with Jess Jonassen and Shikha Pandey to prepare for the CPL?Yes, I do speak to them regularly. We talk about practice, what needs to be done, how to go about things - it's been really Salonee Dangore's success mantra?My mantra is to believe in myself and show confidence. I really hold on to the advice someone once gave me - 'You become what you believe.' I think that's my success from cricket, what does Salonee Dangore like to do?I love going on road trips with my friends - especially to places surrounded by nature. Anywhere there's a lake or the sea - I enjoy spending time in such peaceful spots with close friends.- Ends
India.com
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Shah Rukh Khan makes big move, makes Dhoni's teammate new coach of Knight Riders, name is...
In this collection of pictures we shall know the MS Dhoni's teammate who became the new coach of Knight Riders, Shah Rukh Khan took thus big step for the Knight Riders. Let's dive in. Shahrukh Khan-owned Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) has taken a big decision ahead of the upcoming season of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). It has appointed veteran all-rounder and MS Dhoni's CSK teammate Dwayne Bravo as its new head coach. Dwayne Bravo retired from professional cricket last year. After that he became the mentor of Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025. The 41-year-old all-rounder's journey from TKR captain to head coach has been spectacular. He has experience of playing with many T20 teams around the world. Trinbago Knight Riders have won four CPL trophies so far. The team became champions in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2020. Last year the team lost in the eliminator match. In 2023, they reached the final, but the team had to face defeat in the title match. Since retiring, Bravo has been instrumental in developing young talent. Apart from playing the role of mentor in Kolkata Knight Riders, he is the head coach of LA Knight Riders in Major League Cricket. Bravo has had a deep relationship with the Knight Riders group. As one of the most successful all-rounders in T20 cricket history, Bravo will lead the franchise forward with his experience and deep understanding of Caribbean cricket. Trinbago Knight Riders Head Coach Dwayne Bravo said, "It is an honor to have the opportunity to become the head coach of TKR. This is a team that is very close to my heart. I would like to personally thank Coach Phil for his time and commitment over the past few years. Now I am looking forward to this new challenge for me and my teammates." On appointing Bravo as coach, Venky Mysore, CEO of the Knight Riders Group, said, "DJ Bravo has been an integral part of making TKR the most successful franchise in CPL history. He has given everything to this team as a player and captain and now we look forward to seeing him bring more success in this new role as the head coach of TKR in CPL 2025."
India Gazette
20-06-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
CPL: KKR team mentor Dwayne Bravo replaces Phil Simmons as new Trinbago Knight Riders head coach
New Delhi [India], June 20 (ANI): Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) have announced the appointment of former West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo as their new head coach for the upcoming edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2025. Following the latest development, Bravo has replaced Phil Simmons, who is currently serving as the head coach of the Bangladesh men's team. 'It's an honour to be given the opportunity to be Head Coach of TKR, a team that's very close to my heart. I would like to personally thank Coach Phil Simmons for his time and commitment over the last few years, and now I look forward to this new challenge for me and my staff,' Bravo said in a social media post of the franchise. During his stint in the Caribbean Premier League as a player, Bravo made 107 appearances between 2013 and 2024 and scalped 129 wickets while maintaining his economy rate at 8.74. Of 11 seasons, Bravo represented the Trinbago Knight Riders in nine. He lifted the title five times, including the season when he led St Kitts and Nevis Patriots to a memorable title run in 2021. Last year, Bravo was appointed as the head coach of the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the ILT20. In the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL), Bravo retired from the league in 2022 and served as a bowling consultant for the five-time champions Chennai Super Kings for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. In IPL 2025, Bravo joined the Kolkata Knight Riders to replace Gautam Gambhir as the team mentor. Under his watch, the Knight Riders, the defending champions, failed to defend their crown and finished eighth with 12 points. The renowned West Indies all-rounder lifted four IPL titles with CSK in different roles. The decorated Caribbean star is the sixth-highest wicket-taker in IPL history with 183 scalps and the first player to win two purple caps in the tournament, in 2013 and 2015. (ANI)
India Today
20-06-2025
- Sport
- India Today
CPL 2025: Trinbago Knight Riders appoint Dwayne Bravo as new head coach
Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) have appointed Dwayne Bravo as their head coach for the 2025 edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), ushering in a new era for the most successful franchise in tournament history. Bravo replaces Phil Simmons, who has taken up the role of head coach of the Bangladesh men's national team.A CPL stalwart, Bravo's association with the tournament stretches back to its inception in 2013. He played 107 matches across 11 seasons, finishing with 129 wickets at an economy rate of 8.74. Nine of those seasons were spent with TKR, a franchise he helped to four titles, and a fifth with St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in 2021—his lone season away, which also saw him lead the side to their maiden an honour to be given the opportunity to be head coach of TKR, a team that's very close to my heart,' Bravo said in a post on social media. 'I would like to personally thank Coach Phil Simmons for his time and commitment over the last few years, and now I look forward to this new challenge for me and my staff.' This appointment continues Bravo's growing coaching portfolio. Last year, he was named head coach of the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the ILT20, another team owned by the Knight Riders group. He also served as a mentor for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2025 IPL and had stints as a bowling consultant with Chennai Super Kings in 2023 and 2024, following his retirement from playing in the IPL in the international level, Bravo was the bowling consultant for Afghanistan during the 2024 T20 World Cup, where the team made a historic run to the semi-finals before being knocked out by South will be hoping Bravo's experience and leadership can take them back to the top after a mixed campaign in CPL 2024. The franchise finished third in the league stage but bowed out in the Eliminator following a defeat to Barbados his transition into coaching, Bravo isn't done playing yet. The 40-year-old will feature once again alongside Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard for West Indies Champions in the second edition of the World Championship of Legends (WCL), set to begin in England on July 18. The Caribbean side will open their campaign against South Africa Champions at Edgbaston on July 19. Last year, they reached the semi-finals before being ousted by Bravo at the helm, TKR will look to blend experience with youth as they aim for a record-extending fifth CPL Watch
BBC News
08-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Has West Indies' Pooran perfected T20 batting?
A West Indies left-hander dominating T20 cricket while striking sixes at will? You'd be forgiven for thinking we have been here with another devastating innings in the Indian Premier League on Tuesday, Nicholas Pooran continued his remarkable run of form in the shortest format - a run that is threatening to rewrite the the start of last year he has scored 738 more T20 runs than anyone else, is averaging 42.31, and is doing so while batting with a strike-rate of generally have a high strike-rate or average in T20s. Pooran is managing to achieve both. Is Pooran best in the world and better than Gayle? Condense the timeframe further and Pooran's statistics are even more remarkable. In his last 10 innings he is averaging 57.7 while striking at 199, suggesting he has found the cheat has hit 211 sixes since the start of 2024. The next batter on the list is South African Heinrich Klaasen on 29, broke former West Indies team-mate Chris Gayle's record for the most sixes in a calendar year last year - he hit 139 to Gayle's 135 in 2015 - and after scores of 70, 75, 44, 12 and 87 not out in this year's IPL is averaging 4.8 sixes per match this can better that in the IPL's history with Gayle's average of 3.9 per match during his peak years in 2012 the next best record."I don't plan to hit sixes," Pooran said earlier in the season."I just try my best to get in good positions and if it's there, just time the ball nicely." What makes Pooran so good? Pooran is regarded as one of the world's best hitters of spin. Over the past two IPL seasons, playing for Lucknow Super Giants, he has scored 448 runs at an average of 89.6 and strike-rate of 184.4 against slow bowlers - again suggesting he can bat with severe aggression while not getting stands with a classical-looking, slightly-open stance, taps the ground once as the spinner enters his delivery stride and then thrashes the ball with his fast hands."I've never worked on my bat speed, I'm just blessed with incredible talent," Pooran Trinidadian is not afraid to dispatch pace either. His strike-rate is 173.5 against left-arm quicks and 163.5 against to analysts CricViz, there is not one line of pace bowling Pooran does not strike at more than 200 against at the death. He strikes at more than 200 against every length except for yorkers, against which he takes down bowlers at a still-remarkable 166."He is a hard worker. No one ever sees that," former England all-rounder Samit Patel, who has played with Pooran at Trinbago Knight Riders and MI Emirates, told the BBC."The amount of training he does to try and hit sixes is phenomenal."His mindset is absolutely second to none and he is fully committed. There are no half-hearted swings."Having seen him train, if the ball lands in a certain area, he has trained and trained so it is natural to him [to hit sixes]."Since the start of 2023, Pooran strikes at 344.7 runs per hundred balls when playing the slog sweep, 266.7 when playing a hook shot and 234.7 on the pull. What can the bowlers do? Having previously batted in the middle order, Lucknow Super Giants and West Indies now use Pooran as a number result has been him succeeding in each phase of the game - the powerplay, middle overs and the death. Analysts CricViz measure a batter's performance with their 'batting impact' model and Pooran is the only player the world to have an average impact above four in all three phases since only obvious chink in Pooran's armour is against left-arm wrist-spin, against which he averages 31.5 and strikes at does have a weakness against bouncers, but only when they are bowled in the channel just outside off too wide and he averages 55.5. Get too straight with a line above the stumps and that number jumps to 126."Because he hits 360 degrees he is very difficult to bowl at," Patel says."From a spinners point of view, we try and make him cut the ball. We try and make him hit behind the wicket. "If he hits fours it's OK. When he hits sixes we know he is dangerous."
