In a stunning debut as captain, Ajinkya Rahane made headlines in the IPL 2025 opener by leading the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) with a dazzling performance against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Saturday, March 22, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Rahane smashed a half-century in just 25 balls, dazzling fans and critics alike, showing that he is ready to embrace his leadership role.
Rahane walked to the crease after KKR’s opener Quinton de Kock fell early to RCB pacer Josh Hazlewood. The team was initially in trouble, managing a mere nine runs in the first three overs. With the pitch deemed favorable for batting, Ajinkya Rahane took charge of the innings, strategically attacking RCB’s bowlers right from the fourth over.
His aggressive mindset quickly reshaped the game’s dynamics. Rahane blasted Hazlewood’s replacement, Rasikh Salam Dar, for 16 runs in one over—demonstrating his hitting prowess with a brilliant six and two fours. Along with fellow opener Sunil Narine, who backed him up with a solid 44 off 26 balls, they added 103 runs for the second wicket. Rahane’s spectacular knock comprised six fours and four sixes, and he reached his fifty by the ninth over, leaving the crowd in awe.
Despite his explosive start, Rahane’s innings was cut short when he mistimed a pull shot off Krunal Pandya, who was instrumental in RCB's bowling performance with three crucial wickets for just 29 runs. Rahane's final score stood at 56 from 31 balls, and it was clear that he had silenced many of his detractors who had questioned his aggressive game style.
"It’s an honour to lead this team. Our preparation has been good... allow them to play as a unit," said Rahane in a post-match statement, reiterating his commitment to his new role. His performance is especially impressive considering this was his first innings as KKR’s captain and he was under a lot of scrutiny.
Rahane's transition into captaincy comes after a shaky recent stint in the IPL, where he struggled to make an impact with the Chennai Super Kings in 2024. The responsibility of leading KKR raised eyebrows, particularly since several fans believed that Venkatesh Iyer should have taken the reins given his significant investment during the mega auction. Nevertheless, Rahane’s experience, having led teams like Rajasthan Royals and Rising Pune Supergiants, ensures he has the know-how to lead this franchise through challenging matches.
After KKR posted a total of 174 for 8, the momentum quickly shifted as RCB openers Phil Salt and Virat Kohli delivered a swift response, scoring quick-fire half-centuries. RCB chased down the target in just 16.2 overs, finishing with 175 runs for the loss of only two wickets. This explosive performance not only marked the beginning of the IPL 2025 season but also saw RCB take the top spot on the points table with a healthy net run rate.
It’s worth noting that this match also marked a historical moment for Ajinkya Rahane as he became the first Indian player to captain three different franchises in IPL history, a record that showcases his adaptability and leadership in the competitive landscape of Indian cricket.
As KKR and RCB move on in the tournament, the implications of Rahane's leadership will be carefully watched. Can he continue delivering explosive performances and lead KKR to greater heights? Time will tell, but for now, the Kolkata Knight Riders have a captain who isn’t just leading; he’s making a statement.
