With the IPL 2025 season just around the corner, Indian all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer has made it clear he is ready to step up as captain if the role is offered to him by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The defending champions are set to begin their title defense against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on March 22 at their home ground, Eden Gardens, and have yet to finalize their leadership for the upcoming season after parting ways with former captain Shreyas Iyer.
Venkatesh, who was brought back by KKR for a staggering ₹23.75 crore during the IPL mega auction, could potentially take the helm alongside veteran player Ajinkya Rahane, who is also seen as a strong candidate for the captaincy. Although Venkatesh has no previous experience leading at competitive levels, he remains optimistic about his readiness and leadership capabilities.
“Definitely. Definitely, I am ready. Again, I have always said this: captaincy is just a tag. I believe in leadership. That is a bigger role to play, being a leader,” said Venkatesh Iyer, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. This perspective underlines his belief system wherein he views the essence of leadership as transcending mere titles, focusing instead on actions and mindset.
The 30-year-old all-rounder is currently leading by example for his state team, Madhya Pradesh, emphasizing the importance of creating an environment where every player, regardless of their experience or financial standings, feels welcomed to express their opinions. “You don’t necessarily need the tag of a captain to be a leader in your dressing room. You need to set examples. You need to be a good role model, both on and off the field, which I am doing right now in MP,” he elaborated.
Venkatesh Iyer’s IPL career began in 2021, where he quickly made his mark by significantly improving KKR’s performance during his first season. His impactful presence helped turn around the team's fortunes after they lost four of their first six matches, eventually leading them to the finals with seven wins out of the next nine. He has played 51 matches for KKR, scoring 1,326 runs at an average of 31.57, punctuated by 11 fifties and one century, alongside contributing as a useful bowler with three wickets to his name.
The delay in naming KKR's captain can be attributed to the intense domestic calendar, which preceded the auction where several key players, including Iyer, were focused on their state campaigns. Venkatesh noted, “It is good they’re giving players their space and letting them focus on domestic cricket. Whenever it happens, we will see about it.”
With the IPL set to commence imminently, the cricketing fraternity is eagerly awaiting the finalization of KKR's captaincy, especially as Venkatesh Iyer prepares to assert his leadership qualities. Whether or not he receives the captaincy title, Iyer’s commitment to being a guiding presence for his peers remains steadfast. His attitude reflects his readiness to embrace challenges and make positive contributions as the team gears up for another thrilling season.
“I’ve always wanted to be the person who can lead by example,” Iyer remarked, emphasizing the importance of leadership both on and off the field.