Big news for all Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) fans The defending champions have officially announced Ajinkya Rahane as their captain for IPL 2025, with Venkatesh Iyer as his deputy. This exciting leadership change sets the stage for another thrilling season as KKR aims to defend their title.
Rahane Journey: From Unsold to Captain
Rahane’s return to KKR has been nothing short of dramatic. At the IPL 2025 mega auction, he was initially unsold when his name first came up. However, destiny had other plans! On the second day, during the accelerated round, KKR picked him up at his base price of INR 1.5 crore. Now, just months later, he has been handed the captaincy a true underdog story.
The franchise is thrilled with their decision, as KKR CEO Venky Mysore expressed confidence in Rahane’s leadership. “We are delighted to have someone like Ajinkya Rahane, who brings experience and maturity as a leader,” he said. He also praised Venkatesh Iyer, calling him a valuable asset who possesses strong leadership qualities.
Rahane Second Stint with KKR
For those who remember, Rahane has played for KKR before. In IPL 2022, he struggled to make an impact, scoring only 133 runs in seven matches. However, he made a stunning comeback with Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2023, scoring 326 runs at a strike rate of 172.48. Though IPL 2024 wasn’t as productive for him, he bounced back in domestic cricket, leading Mumbai to victory in the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and finishing as the tournament’s highest run-scorer.
Captaincy Experience & a Winning Mentality
Rahane is no stranger to captaincy. Many fans still remember how he led India to a historic Test series win in Australia in 2020-21. In the IPL, he has captained before once for Rising Pune Super Giant (2017) and 24 times for Rajasthan Royals (2018-19). With years of experience, calm decision-making, and a hunger for success, he is ready to take on this new challenge.
Venkatesh Iyer: A Rising Leader
Iyer has been a franchise player for KKR since 2021 and played a crucial role in their IPL 2024 title win, scoring 370 runs at a strike rate of 158.79. Although KKR did not retain him initially, they spent a whopping INR 23.75 crore to bring him back making him the fourth most expensive player in IPL auction history! Recently, in an interview, Iyer said he was “definitely ready” to lead KKR if given the chance. While he didn’t get the captaincy, being named vice-captain is a huge step forward in his leadership journey.
KKR’s Title Defense Begins March 22
KKR will kick off IPL 2025 with a season opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens on March 22. This match is set to be electric as they start their journey to defend their crown. Interestingly, Shreyas Iyer, who led KKR to their third IPL title in 2024, was not retained. He has now joined Punjab Kings as their captain, adding another twist to the upcoming season.
Meanwhile, the only team yet to announce their captain is Delhi Capitals. With Rishabh Pant moving to Lucknow Super Giants, fans are eagerly waiting to see who will lead DC in IPL 2025. Ajinkya Rahane’s appointment as KKR captain is a story of resilience, hard work, and determination. From going unsold to leading one of the most successful IPL franchises, his journey is inspiring. With Venkatesh Iyer as vice-captain, KKR looks well-prepared to fight for their fourth title.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and official announcements. Any changes or updates will be reflected as soon as they are made public.
Also Read
Lighter Bat Bigger Sixes MS Dhoni IPL 2025 Training Secret Revealed
Witness the Royals in Action, Rajasthan Royals Tickets Now Live for IPL 2025
Those IPL Players Who Will Take Over Their Team After 5 Years, Are Expected To Join Another Team.
