IPL 2025: Ajinkya Rahane named as KKR captain

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have appointed Ajinkya Rahane as their captain for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, with Venkatesh Iyer serving as vice-captain. This leadership change follows the departure of former captain Shreyas Iyer, who will now lead the Punjab Kings.

Rahane, 36, brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously captained the Rajasthan Royals and led the Indian national team to a historic Test series victory in Australia during the 2020-21 season. His recent domestic performance has been outstanding; he topped the batting charts in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, amassing 469 runs at an average of 58.62 and a strike rate of 164.56, including five half-centuries.

Expressing his enthusiasm, Rahane stated, “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.”

Venkatesh Iyer, who has been a pivotal player for KKR since 2021, was re-acquired by the franchise for ₹23.75 crore during the IPL 2025 mega-auction, making him the third-most expensive Indian player in the league’s history. His promotion to vice-captain reflects the franchise’s confidence in his leadership abilities and commitment to the team.

KKR’s CEO, Venky Mysore, expressed confidence in the new leadership duo, stating, “We are delighted to have someone like …. Also, Venkatesh I … defense of our title.”

The team is set to begin their title defense against Royal Challengers Bangalore on March 22 at Eden Gardens.