On the stage of the Knights Unplugged 2.0 event, which took place at Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan on Wednesday, the KKR’ all-star team was introduced to their devoted supporters. This occurs prior to the team’s much awaited inaugural matchup with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2025.
Excitement was in the air ahead of the new season as more than 5,000 ardent cricket fans flocked in purple and gold to see their stars up close.
The display of KKR’s three championship trophies, which bear witness to the team’s legacy, enhanced the spectacle.
In order to further immerse fans in the Knight Riders’ passion as they prepared to support their team for another exciting campaign, the event also included interactive games.
Captain Ajinkya Rahane, vice captain Venkatesh Iyer, head coach Chandrakant Pandit, team mentor DJ Bravo, and KKR CEO Mr Venky Mysore were among the important members of the team who attended the occasion and expressed their opinions in advance of the upcoming season.
Venky Mysore, Chief Executive Officer of Kolkata Knight Riders thanked the fans for their unconditional support: “It’s really an honour to be part of this franchise. It gives me goosebumps to see the love and support we receive. I don’t think there’s another city like Kolkata — when Eden Gardens fills with purple and gold, their chants for KKR and favorite players truly lift the entire team.”
Ajinkya Rahane, returning as captain, stated, “It’s great to be back with KKR and an honour to lead this wonderful franchise with its rich history. We have a very good team this year. For us, it’s about keeping it simple — we’ve been practicing really well and everyone is on the same page. It’s going to be a great season for us.”
Vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer expressed, “It’s an honour to be called a key player for this franchise with such rich history and legacy. The franchise has shown tremendous trust in me and gave me the big break in my life. There’s a lot of gratitude, and it’s my duty to pay them back. I hope this journey continues for a very long time.”
Head coach Chandrakant Pandit reflected: “This three-year journey has been really amazing. Winning the trophy has always been special. The title win last year belongs not only to the players, but to the entire franchise — including those working behind the scenes, the owners, and especially the fans whose support helps maintain our healthy atmosphere.”
Dwayne Bravo, joining as mentor, added: “We’re looking forward to this season, winning lots of games, and hopefully defending our trophy. It’s a great honour to be part of this setup. Knight Riders is hugely respected worldwide, and having captained Knight Riders in Trinidad, where we had great success, joining was an easy decision when the opportunity came from Venky sir.”
India
