The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have named Ajinkya Rahane as their captain for the upcoming IPL 2025 season.
This announcement marks a new chapter for the three-time IPL champions, who are set to defend their title after winning the tournament in 2024.
Rahane, a seasoned Indian batsman, will be supported by Venkatesh Iyer, who has been appointed as the vice-captain.
Background and Appointment
Ajinkya Rahane, known for his experience and leadership qualities, was signed by KKR for Rs 1.5 crore during the IPL 2025 mega auction held in November 2024.
This marks his return to the franchise after previously playing for them in the 2022 season. Rahane had a remarkable domestic season, leading Mumbai to victories in the Irani Cup and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
He also topped the batting charts in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20s, scoring 469 runs in eight innings with an impressive strike rate of 164.56 and five half-centuries.
Venkatesh Iyer, an all-rounder from Madhya Pradesh, was bought back by KKR for Rs 23.75 crore, making him one of the most expensive purchases at the auction.
His leadership qualities and franchise player status made him an ideal choice for the vice-captain role.
Reaction from KKR Management
KKR CEO Venky Mysore expressed his delight at having Rahane as captain, highlighting his leadership experience and maturity. Mysore also praised Venkatesh Iyer, stating that both players will combine well to defend their title.
Rahane’s Reaction
Ajinkya Rahane welcomed the opportunity to lead KKR, acknowledging the honor and expressing confidence in the team’s balanced squad. He looks forward to working with everyone to defend their title.
Previous Captains of KKR
Rahane becomes the eighth player to captain KKR in the IPL, following in the footsteps of Sourav Ganguly, Brendon McCullum, Gautam Gambhir, Dinesh Karthik, Eoin Morgan, Shreyas Iyer, and Nitish Rana.
KKR in IPL 2025
KKR will begin their IPL 2025 campaign with the season opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens on March 22.
With Rahane at the helm, the team aims to replicate their success from the previous season.
This appointment marks a significant shift for KKR, as Rahane replaces Shreyas Iyer, who led the team to victory in 2024 but was not retained by the franchise ahead of the mega auction. Shreyas Iyer will now captain the Punjab Kings in IPL 2025.
