The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the defending champions of the Indian Premier League (IPL), are set to embark on their 2025 campaign under new leadership, as they bid goodbye to pivotal figures that have long shaped the franchise. With Shreyas Iyer's absence from the captaincy and Gautam Gambhir stepping away from his mentoring role, many wonder how the team will adjust and who will rise to fill their significant shoes.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has expressed serious concern over the team dynamics without Iyer, who masterfully steered KKR to their third IPL title last season. "KKR will miss Shreyas Iyer's captaincy. Gautam Gambhir is not in the dugout, so KKR will miss that too," Pathan noted during a discussion on the implications of these changes. Adding to the complexity, both Gambhir and Iyer were integral to the team’s recent successes, with Gambhir having mentored KKR to their 2024 title win before taking on the role of head coach for the Indian national men’s team.
This season, Ajinkya Rahane will take over as captain, with Venkatesh Iyer serving as his deputy. Pathan believes that Rahane's experience, having captained Mumbai and the national team, will play a pivotal role in shaping the team’s future. "Ajinkya Rahane will get his experience. He has captained Mumbai and even India. I have one concern: how Ajinkya Rahane, the captain, compliments Ajinkya Rahane, the batter," he explained, highlighting the need for Rahane to effectively manage both roles.
As the IPL 2025 season kicks off on Saturday, March 22, KKR will face off against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, a match that promises to be a crucial test for the restructured team. The loss of England’s wicketkeeper-batter Phil Salt, who has moved to RCB this season, further complicates KKR's mission. Pathan emphasized that Salt's dynamic capabilities, combined with those of Sunil Narine, will be sorely missed. "Phil Salt and Sunil Narine used to go big last season. There will be a temptation for Rahane to go up the order, and the team management will be tempted too," he remarked.
In a significant shift, Dwayne Bravo has stepped in for Gambhir as KKR's mentor. Bravo, known for his significant impact during his tenure with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), now faces the challenge of guiding a team that has historically struggled without Gambhir's leadership. His past experience in the Caribbean Premier League, where he led the Trinbago Knight Riders to victory, offers hope for KKR fans. However, many are left to ponder: can he replicate Gambhir’s magic?
"Can Dwayne Bravo make sure that he fills in the big boots of Gautam Gambhir and help KKR successfully defend their crown?" This question looms large as the team aims to establish a fresh identity. Despite the daunting task of rebuilding, the current squad includes celebrated players like Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, who possess the potential to take charge in the absence of Gambhir.
Since Gambhir's arrival in 2011, KKR has experienced a rollercoaster journey, culminating in two IPL titles during his leadership. However, the fairytale trajectory was disrupted when Gambhir transitioned to a coaching role with the national side. "Last year, Gambhir returned to KKR as a mentor, and his presence immediately paid off with the team winning the title. But after benefiting from Gambhir's leadership, KKR now faces the challenge of moving forward without their iconic leader," stated Pathan.
Historically, KKR has struggled to find a reliable captain post-Gambhir's leadership, and their recent performance has often reflected this challenge. As they venture into IPL 2025, the focus shifts to how players like Narine and Russell can step up. Narine, notably KKR’s top run-scorer last season, expanded his game significantly under Gambhir's guidance – a trajectory the team now hopes will continue. With Russell, who delivered an impressive 510 runs and claimed the MVP award in 2019, expectations are high for him to lead by example.
The upcoming season serves as a critical testing ground for KKR, showcasing whether they can carve out a new identity independent of Gambhir. With Rahane at the helm and Bravo mentoring the squad, only time will tell if KKR has the resilience to defend their IPL title. As the new administration prepares for their inaugural match against RCB on March 22, the anticipation among fans is palpable and the pressure intensified. Will the Kolkata Knight Riders rise to the occasion to demonstrate their evolution as a team, or will the absence of their storied leaders weigh heavily upon them? Hopeful eyes will watch as their journey begins anew.
