KKR Names Ajinkya Rahane As New Captain For IPL 2025

For the upcoming 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL 2025), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has named Ajinkya Rahane as new captain. Rahane, an experienced top-order batter, takes over the reins from Shreyas Iyer, under whose captaincy KKR clinched the IPL title last year. Despite Iyer's successes, he was not retained for the upcoming season, paving the way for Rahane's appointment. The Kolkata-based franchise secured Rahane for Rs 1.50 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction, highlighting their faith in his capabilities to lead the team.

"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," Rahane expressed, reflecting his excitement and readiness to spearhead the team.

In addition to Rahane's leadership, Venkatesh Iyer, the Madhya Pradesh all-rounder who joined KKR for a staggering Rs 23.75 crore, has been announced as the vice-captain. This strategic move underscores the franchise's confidence in their new leadership duo to guide the team through the challenges of the forthcoming season.

A Fresh Start for KKR

KKR CEO Venky Mysore lauded Rahane's leadership qualities, stating, "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 appointment marks him as the eighth player to captain the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, joining the ranks of notable predecessors such as Sourav Ganguly, Brendon McCullum, and Gautam Gambhir among others. Rahane's extensive experience and tactical acumen are expected to steer KKR towards another successful campaign.

Kolkata Knight Riders' Squad and Schedule for IPL 2025

The squad for the 2025 season appears robust, featuring talents like Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, and Andre Russell, alongside newcomers like Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Anrich Nortje. With such a versatile line-up, KKR is well-positioned to tackle the fierce competition of the IPL.

KKR's schedule for IPL 2025 includes a series of challenging matches, kicking off against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on March 22 in Kolkata.