Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have made a significant leadership change ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season by appointing Ajinkya Rahane as their new captain. Rahane takes over from Shreyas Iyer, who led KKR to their third IPL title in 2024 before being released and later acquired by Punjab Kings for a record-breaking INR 26.75 Crore. The franchise has also announced that Venkatesh Iyer, their high-profile INR 23.75 Crore acquisition, will serve as Rahane’s deputy.
A Surprising Turn of Events for Rahane
Rahane’s appointment as KKR’s captain marks a stunning turnaround in his T20 career. Following an underwhelming 2024 season with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), where he managed just 242 runs in 13 innings, Rahane initially went unsold in the 2025 auction. However, KKR secured his services in the accelerated round for his base price of INR 1.50 Crore.
Since then, the veteran batter has enjoyed a resurgence in form, playing a pivotal role in Mumbai’s triumph in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He finished as the tournament’s highest run-getter with 469 runs at a stellar average of 58.62 and an explosive strike rate of 164.56. This performance undoubtedly played a major role in KKR’s decision to entrust him with the captaincy.
Speaking on his appointment, Rahane expressed his enthusiasm and gratitude: “It’s an honour to be asked to lead KKR, which has been one of the most successful franchises in the IPL. I think we have an excellent and balanced squad. I look forward to working with everyone and taking up the challenge of defending our title.”
KKR Management’s Backing
KKR CEO Venky Mysore emphasized the leadership qualities Rahane brings to the team, highlighting his experience and temperament. “We are delighted to have someone like Ajinkya Rahane, who brings his experience and maturity as a leader. Also, Venkatesh Iyer has been a franchise player for KKR and brings a lot of leadership qualities. We are confident that they will combine well as we start the defense of our title.”
This will be Rahane’s second stint with KKR, having previously played for the franchise in 2022. However, that season was far from productive for him, as he featured in just seven matches, scoring 133 runs. He then moved to CSK, where he revitalized his reputation, playing a crucial role in their title-winning campaign with 326 runs at an impressive strike rate of 172.49.
Rahane’s Leadership Experience in IPL
Rahane is no stranger to captaincy in the IPL. He first led the Rising Pune Supergiants in one match during the 2017 season and later captained Rajasthan Royals in 24 matches across the 2018 and 2019 seasons. His leadership tenure at Rajasthan Royals ended midway through the 2019 season when he was replaced by Steve Smith. Overall, Rahane has captained in 25 IPL matches, securing nine wins and suffering 16 defeats.
Despite a modest captaincy record, Rahane is known for his calm demeanor, tactical acumen, and ability to anchor an innings—traits that KKR will hope will translate into effective leadership.
Venkatesh Iyer: The Deputy and Future Leader?
The decision to name Venkatesh Iyer as vice-captain underlines KKR’s long-term vision. The all-rounder has been a crucial player for the franchise since his breakthrough in 2021. Having initially joined KKR for a mere INR 20 Lakh in the COVID-19-affected 2021 season, Venkatesh played a starring role in the UAE leg, scoring 370 runs in 10 innings. His contributions, including key fifties in the playoffs and final, were instrumental in KKR’s runner-up finish that year.
His rise continued when KKR retained him for INR 8 Crore ahead of the 2022 mega auction. In the 2023 season, he cemented his reputation as a match-winner by smashing a 51-ball century against Mumbai Indians, becoming only the second KKR batter after Brendon McCullum to score an IPL hundred. His dynamic batting and ability to bowl medium pace make him an invaluable asset to KKR’s setup.
KKR’s decision to splurge INR 23.75 Crore on Venkatesh in the 2025 auction, fighting off a strong bid from Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), highlights their belief in his leadership potential. With Rahane at the helm and Venkatesh as his deputy, KKR aims to strike a balance between experience and youth.
Challenges Ahead for KKR
While the appointment of Rahane brings stability, the defending champions face several challenges as they gear up for IPL 2025:
- Leadership Transition: Adjusting to a new captain and leadership style is never easy, especially after the successful tenure of Shreyas Iyer, who guided KKR to their third IPL title.
- Rahane’s Aggressive Adaptation: While Rahane has shown an ability to accelerate in recent domestic tournaments, maintaining an aggressive approach throughout a long IPL season will be key.
- Defending the Title: Retaining the IPL title is always a daunting task, with opposition teams strengthening their squads significantly.
- Form and Fitness: Both Rahane and Venkatesh will need to remain fit and consistent throughout the season, given their crucial roles.
KKR’s Road to Title Defense Begins Against RCB
KKR will kick off their IPL 2025 campaign with a high-voltage encounter against RCB on March 22 at Eden Gardens. With a revamped leadership team, the franchise will be keen to start their title defense on a strong note.
Rahane’s tenure as KKR captain will be closely watched, as he aims to lead one of the most decorated IPL franchises to back-to-back titles. Whether his experience and leadership acumen can guide KKR to another championship remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—the journey will be fascinating to follow.
