Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have appointed Ajinkya Rahane as their new captain for IPL 2025. He replaces Shreyas Iyer, who led KKR to their third IPL title in 2024 before being released. Punjab Kings later acquired Iyer for a record INR 26.75 crore. Alongside Rahane, KKR has named Venkatesh Iyer as vice-captain after securing him for INR 23.75 crore.

Rahane’s Return to KKR and Recent Form

Rahane initially went unsold in the auction after a below-par season with Chennai Super Kings. However, KKR picked him up later for INR 1.50 crore. Since then, he has regained his form and played a crucial role in Mumbai’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy victory. He finished as the tournament’s highest run-scorer with 469 runs at an average of 58.62 and a strike rate of 164.56.

KKR’s Confidence in Rahane and Venkatesh Iyer

KKR CEO Venky Mysore expressed full confidence in Rahane’s leadership. He highlighted Rahane’s experience and calm approach, which could benefit the team. He also praised Venkatesh Iyer for his leadership potential and strong performances in past seasons. The franchise believes this captain-vice-captain duo will provide stability as they aim to defend their title.

Rahane’s Captaincy Experience in the IPL

This will be Rahane’s second stint with KKR. He previously played for them in IPL 2022 before moving to Chennai Super Kings in 2023. His season with CSK revived his IPL career, as he scored 326 runs at a strike rate of 172.49 in their title-winning campaign. Rahane also has prior IPL captaincy experience. He led Rajasthan Royals in 24 matches across the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Additionally, he captained Rising Pune Supergiant for one match in 2017.

Venkatesh Iyer’s Rise in IPL

Venkatesh Iyer has made an incredible rise in the IPL. KKR initially signed him for INR 20 lakh in 2021. He quickly proved his worth, playing a key role in KKR’s 2021 campaign. His 370 runs in 10 innings helped the team reach the final. In 2023, he smashed a 51-ball century against Mumbai Indians, becoming only the second KKR batter after Brendon McCullum to score an IPL hundred.

KKR’s IPL 2025 Campaign Begins on March 22

With Rahane and Venkatesh Iyer at the helm, KKR is set to begin its IPL 2025 title defense. Their first match will be against Royal Challengers Bangalore on March 22 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.