NEW DELHI: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have launched a new chapter for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, officially appointing Ajinkya Rahane as their captain. This announcement, made on March 3, 2025, marks Rahane's second stint with the franchise as he takes over from Shreyas Iyer, who previously led the team to their third IPL title last year. Alongside Rahane, Venkatesh Iyer has been named vice-captain, promising to bring leadership experience and skill to the squad.
Rahane, who has predominantly played Test cricket, recently demonstrated his remarkable transition to T20 format by finishing as the leading run-scorer in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with 469 runs at an impressive strike rate of 164.56. His revival as an impactful player during his time with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) makes him a fitting choice to lead KKR, which is seeking to maintain its winning momentum.
“It’s an honour to be asked to lead KKR, which has been one of the most successful franchises in the IPL. I think we have an excellent and balanced squad. I look forward to working with everyone and taking up the challenge of defending our title,” said Rahane, reflecting his excitement and commitment to the team.
The franchise's past leadership has been quite dynamic, with several captains paving the way through its history since the IPL's inception in 2008. A brief overview shows the significant milestones achieved by these leaders:
Sourav Ganguly (2008 & 2010): KKR’s first captain led the side through 27 matches, securing 13 wins and establishing the franchise’s foundation.
Brendon McCullum (2009): McCullum's season was challenging, with only three victories out of 13 matches.
Gautam Gambhir (2011-2017): The most successful captain for KKR, Gambhir led them to two IPL titles (2012 and 2014), achieving 69 wins out of 122 matches.
Shreyas Iyer (2022 & 2024): Under Iyer, KKR won the championship last year but parted ways after the season, creating room for new leadership.
Dinesh Karthik (2018-2020): Karthik managed 19 victories across 37 matches before stepping down.
Eoin Morgan (2020-2021): Morgan led KKR to the finals but struggled with only 11 wins out of 24 matches.
Nitish Rana (2023): Rana filled the captaincy role briefly, achieving six wins out of 14 matches.
"We are delighted to have someone like Ajinkya Rahane, who brings his experience and maturity as a leader. Venkatesh Iyer has been a franchise player for KKR and brings many leadership qualities. We are confident they will combine well as we start the defense of our title,” commented KKR CEO Venky Mysore.
From the 2025 mega auction, KKR made headlines by signing Venkatesh Iyer for Rs 23.75 crore, making him the fourth most expensive player bought in IPL auction history. His dynamic performance as part of the KKR squad since his debut season secured him the vice-captaincy position.
Rahane's previous role as captain for Rajasthan Royals showcased his capacity as leader, where he logged nine wins and 16 losses over 25 matches. His prior experiences will undoubtedly be pivotal as he steers KKR's ship this season.
“KKR will face Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on March 22, 2025, for their season opener at Eden Gardens and aim to start their title defense with strength,” remarked franchise analysts.
Fans and analysts have mixed reactions to Rahane's appointment, with social media buzzing with opinions. Many have hailed it as a great move, stating, "Hard work truly pays off. A highly underrated captain has finally found his place. Wishing Ajinkya all the best.” Another user expressed doubts, predicting trouble with comments like, “3 Captains in 3 Seasons... Not the ideal scenario!!”
With Rahane at the helm and Iyer by his side, KKR aims to not only defend their title but also restore its position as one of the top franchises, tapping back to their historic winning ways. Only time will tell how well this new leadership duo can work together and whether they can bring another championship to the storied franchise.
Fans will be eagerly awaiting the team's performance as they hope for stellar results throughout the IPL 2025 season under new captain Ajinkya Rahane.