The cricketing world is abuzz with excitement as the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the defending champions of the Indian Premier League, kick off their pre-season preparations. The franchise commenced its training camp on February 21, 2025, at Thane, Mumbai, bringing together nine domestic players for intensive sessions. This week-long camp, which runs until February 28, marks the first step toward gearing up for the 17th edition of the IPL.
The primary objective of the camp is to help players who are not currently engaged in domestic matches get back to their training regimen and bond as a team. Notable participants at the camp include Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, and Vaibhav Arora, along with promising newcomers like Mayank Markande and Luvnith Sisodia. Head coach Chandrakant Pandit, along with his support staff, oversees the training activities, which include strength and conditioning, skill-based drills, and team-building exercises.
"The players who are not currently involved in domestic cricket are available and have joined us for this short pre-season camp. This is a normal routine for us every season," explained Pandit. He emphasized the importance of these sessions, saying, "We will also have a camp in Kolkata from March 12 onwards, where we will have the international players available post the ICC Champions Trophy. Our real preparation will start when the whole squad assembles, but this camp will help us get back to rhythm."
Another significant aspect of the camp is the impending challenge of naming a new captain. The franchise recently parted ways with Shreyas Iyer, who led the team to victory last season and is now set to take charge of Punjab Kings. KKR has experienced players like Ajinkya Rahane and Venkatesh Iyer as potential leaders for the upcoming season. Rahane, with his extensive background as a leader, might be seen as the seasoned option, whereas the allure of having Venkatesh Iyer—who was reacquired for ₹23.75 crore—leading the side is also intriguing.
Pandit expressed confidence about the upcoming season, citing the stability of retaining their core group and the strategic additions from the recent auction. "We have our core group intact, which gives us confidence. I am sure our combinations will be very strong, like last season," he stated.
The training camp is also featuring expert coaching personnel, including spin bowling coach Carl Crowe, bowling coach Bharat Arun, along with strength and conditioning coach Sagar V. and head physio Prasanth Panchada. They are set to conduct elaborate training programs, including match simulations and net sessions, to prepare the players comprehensively.
Crowe emphasized the importance of this grassroots effort: "We’ve got lots of nets and match simulation planned for the next few days. It’s good to see both familiar faces and new additions. This continuity is important for keeping the squad fresh."
The camp's atmosphere is one of enthusiasm and optimism, especially with KKR looking to replicate their last year's success. Emerging talent Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who made his mark during the last season, is also among the new faces, along with other young players being assessed for their potential contributions to the team.
The season opener is scheduled for March 22, 2025, against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The excitement surrounding this encounter is palpable, both for the players and fans who are awaiting the competitive edge of IPL once again.
Overall, the period leading up to the start of the tournament will be pivotal for KKR as they solidify their strategies, key player roles, and develop their team chemistry. With the spotlight now on who will take the reins as captain, KKR fans are eager to see how this saga will reveal itself as the tournament approaches.