Ajinkya Rahane to Lead Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025

In a major development ahead of IPL 2025, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have announced that Ajinkya Rahane will take over as the captain of the team. Alongside him, Venkatesh Iyer has been appointed as the vice-captain. This marks an exciting chapter for KKR as they aim to defend their IPL title in the upcoming season.

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Rahane Takes Charge of KKR

Ajinkya Rahane, known for his calm demeanor and leadership skills, will step into the role of KKR's captain for IPL 2025. Rahane expressed his excitement, stating, “It's an honor 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."

This will be Rahane's second stint with KKR. He played for them in the 2022 season, where he managed to score 133 runs in seven matches. Although his performance was underwhelming that year, Rahane had a strong comeback at Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2023, where he scored 326 runs at an impressive strike rate of 172.48.

Venkatesh Iyer as Vice-Captain

Venkatesh Iyer, who was bought back by KKR for INR 23.75 crore, will serve as the vice-captain. Iyer is a vital player for KKR and has been with the franchise for a few years now. His leadership potential has been widely recognized, and he has the ability to support Rahane in the team's pursuit of another successful IPL campaign.

KKR CEO, Venky Mysore, praised both Rahane and Iyer, saying, "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."

Rahane’s Leadership Experience

Rahane’s leadership experience has been highly regarded in the cricketing world. He captained the Indian Test team during their historic series win in Australia in 2020-21. He has also led Mumbai to several domestic titles, including the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he was the highest run-scorer with 469 runs at a strike rate of 164.56.

His experience as a captain will be invaluable to KKR, as he has consistently shown his ability to lead both at the international and domestic levels. Rahane's calm approach and tactical awareness make him a respected figure in Indian cricket, and he is expected to bring these qualities to his role at KKR.

KKR’s IPL 2025 Outlook

With Rahane as the captain and Iyer as his vice-captain, KKR will look to defend their IPL title successfully in 2025. The team boasts a solid mix of experience and youth, making them one of the strongest contenders this season.

As the new season approaches, fans can expect thrilling performances from KKR under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane. With Rahane's vast experience and Iyer’s dynamic role, KKR is ready for another exciting campaign in the IPL.

UC Cricket Insights: The New Leadership Era at KKR

UC Cricket fans can look forward to an exciting IPL season with KKR's new leadership duo. Rahane’s vast cricketing experience and Iyer’s energetic leadership style are sure to provide the team with a fresh approach. KKR fans, along with the broader UC Cricket community, will be eager to see how this new captaincy combination plays out on the field in IPL 2025.