Chennai Super Kings' Dwayne Bravo feels it's his duty to entertain
While Nehra has impressed with his fitness, Bravo has himself been a favourite with the crowds.
Dwayne Bravo and Ashish Nehra played an integral role in Chennai Super Kings' journey to the IPL final this season with a bucketload of wickets.
While Trinidadian Bravo ended up as the Purple Cap winner with 26 wickets in 17 matches, the 36-year-old Nehra picked up 22 in 16 matches.
Players from different countries don't always see eye to eye, but Bravo admits he is in awe of the Indian veteran.
"A fit Ashish Nehra is always a handful for the opposition and it is great to have him in our team. The fact that he has been able to keep himself fit is the most important thing. As a bowler, he is worldclass and his record speaks for him. He came in last year, but couldn't start because he was injured and MS (Mahendra Singh Dhoni) had made it obvious that it was a big blow for CSK. But it was good to see him back and fit to play this season," he told Mail Today.
While Nehra has impressed with his fitness, Bravo has himself been a favourite with the crowds. He feels it is his duty to entertain fans as they come out and support the team in testing conditions.
"It is an absolute honour to be loved by the fans. It means a lot to me. Whatever I do on the ground is to make them happy and bring smiles to their faces. At the end of the day, whatever we are is because of our fans. Chennai has been a home away from home for me and my fan base has increased," he said.
CSK has been the most consistent teams in the history of the tournament and Bravo feels it all stems from the top. While Dhoni has been an integral factor, leading by example, the management's decision not to chop and change the side much has also helped.
"Dhoni is very good. In the dressing room, he is very calm. MS doesn't say much, allows the players to express themselves and lets them play their natural game. That's the quality of a leader, to command a team and allow them to be themselves. Off the field as well, he is just like that, very calm.
"And the most important thing is that we don't chop and change much. The management sticks to a core of players. The result is there for all to see as the camaraderie and unity is clearly visible," he explained.
Looking back at the standout moments from the 2015 season, Bravo said: "There have been several highs, like beating Kolkata Knight Riders by two runs, and winning against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede chasing 183. But personally, it is the catch I took off Shane Watson at the long-on boundary in Chennai."