KKR New Captain 2025: Ajinkya Rahane to Lead, Venkatesh Iyer Named Deputy

KKR New Captain 2025: Ajinkya Rahane to Lead, Venkatesh Iyer Named Deputy

Ajinkya Rahane is the new captain of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the 2025 IPL season. Rahane, a seasoned leader with IPL experience, will lead the defending champions. Venkatesh Iyer, an all-rounder, is the new vice-captain.

Rahane to Lead KKR in IPL 2025

Ajinkya Rahane won the IPL 2023 title with Chennai Super Kings. Now, KKR has signed him for his base price of ₹1.50 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction. After letting Shreyas Iyer go, KKR needed a new leader. Punjab Kings had picked Iyer for a record ₹26.75 crore before the auction.

“It’s an honour to be asked to lead KKR, which has been one of the most successful franchises in IPL. I think we have an excellent  and balanced squad. I look forward to working with everyone and the challenge of defending our title. Korbo Lorbo Jeetbo.”

Rahane’s Captaincy Record in IPL

Despite his experience, Rahane’s track record as an IPL captain remains modest. He has led teams in 25 IPL matches. This includes 24 for Rajasthan Royals from 2018 to 2019 and one for Rising Pune Supergiants in 2017. His record includes:

• Matches Captained: 25
• Wins: 9
• Losses: 16

Rahane is not part of India’s national squad at the moment. Still, his leadership skills and recent play in domestic cricket impressed KKR’s management. They believe he can lead the team well.

Venkatesh Iyer Appointed Vice-Captain

KKR’s investment in Venkatesh Iyer (₹23.75 crore) signaled their long-term vision for him as a key player. Iyer, a batting all-rounder from Madhya Pradesh, has been a core member of the KKR setup since 2021.

KKR CEO Venky Mysore emphasized the franchise’s confidence in its leadership group:

“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 Domestic Form Boosts KKR’s Hopes

Rahane’s IPL captaincy record is mixed. However, his recent domestic performances show his potential impact.

• Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024: Mumbai’s top scorer with 469 runs in 9 innings (Avg: 58.62).
• Ranji Trophy 2024: Mumbai reached the semifinals. In the quarterfinals, he scored a century against Haryana.

With Rahane’s experience and Iyer’s dynamic presence, KKR aims to mount a strong title defense in IPL 2025. The team will begin its campaign on March 14, 2025.