The Kolkata Knight Riders have named Venkatesh Iyer as their vice-captain and Ajinkya Rahane as their captain in anticipation of the 2025 Indian Premier League season. Prior to last November’s massive auction, defending champions KKR had to fill a void left by the release of their championship-winning captain, Shreyas Iyer.
In the accelerated round of the auction, the franchise acquired Rahane at his base price of INR 1.5 crore after he failed to find any suitors in the regular round, while Shreyas was acquired by Punjab Kings. Rahane’s selection as captain closes after a great few months in which he was instrumental in Mumbai’s victory in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with a record-breaking 469 runs at an average of 58.62 and a strike rate of 164.56.
KKR CEO Venky Mysore made the announcement, saying, “We are thrilled to have someone like Ajinkya Rahane, who brings his experience and maturity as a leader.” Venkatesh Iyer has also played for KKR as a franchise player and has a lot of leadership skills. As we begin the title defense, we are sure they will work well together.
“It is a privilege to be asked to lead KKR, which has been one of the most successful teams in the IPL,” Rahane said, accepting the leadership position. Our squad, in my opinion, is superb and well-rounded. Working with everyone and accepting the challenge of defending our title is something I am looking forward to.
Ajinkya Rahane, who played for the Kolkata-based team in 2022, would be joining them for the second time.
Rahane would not remember the period well because he was released before the next edition after managing just 133 runs with a strike rate of 103.90 in seven games.
Rahane led the Rajasthan Royals in 24 games in 2018–19 and the Rising Pune Super Giants in just one game in 2017. As captain, he has nine victories and sixteen defeats from 25 games.
KKR went all out to secure Venkatesh’s services after failing to retain him, and the Madhya Pradesh seam bowling all-rounder secured a massive INR 23.75 crore deal at the November auction. Iyer became the third most costly acquisition at the auction and the fourth most costly overall as a result of the transaction. With 370 runs at a strike rate of 158.79, Iyer was an essential part of KKR’s championship success the previous year.
𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 – Ajinkya Rahane named captain of KKR. Venkatesh Iyer named Vice-Captain of KKR for TATA IPL 2025. pic.twitter.com/F6RAccqkmW
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) March 3, 2025
On Saturday, March 22, KKR will play their season opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Eden Gardens to kick off their IPL 2025 campaign. After defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad in the summit match, KKR won the 2024 IPL, their third championship following 2012 and 2014.
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