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In a major announcement ahead of IPL 2025, defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have appointed Ajinkya Rahane as their new captain. Rahane takes over from Shreyas Iyer, who led KKR to their third IPL title last year but was released and later bought by Punjab Kings for a record-breaking INR 26.75 crore. Meanwhile, KKR’s INR 23.75 crore signing, Venkatesh Iyer, has been named the vice-captain.
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Rahane’s Reaction on Leading KKR
Expressing his excitement, Rahane said:
“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.”
A Surprising Turnaround for Rahane
Rahane’s appointment comes as a remarkable turnaround in his IPL career. After an underwhelming season with Chennai Super Kings (242 runs in 13 innings in IPL 2024), Rahane initially went unsold in the auction. However, in the accelerated round, KKR picked him up for his base price of INR 1.50 crore.
Since then, his form has seen a significant revival. He recently played a crucial role in Mumbai’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy victory, emerging as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 469 runs at an average of 58.62 and a strike rate of 164.56.
KKR CEO Venky Mysore on Rahane & Venkatesh Iyer
KKR CEO Venky Mysore expressed confidence in the new leadership duo, 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 Captaincy Experience in IPL
Rahane is no stranger to captaincy in the IPL, having previously led:
- Rising Pune Supergiant in one game (2017)
- Rajasthan Royals for 24 matches (2018-2019) before being replaced by Steve Smith mid-season in 2019
- Overall IPL Captaincy Record: 9 wins, 16 losses in 25 matches
Venkatesh Iyer’s Journey with KKR
Venkatesh Iyer has been a key player for KKR since being signed in IPL 2021 for INR 20 lakh. His standout performances include:
- 370 runs in 10 innings in IPL 2021, helping KKR reach the final
- Retained for INR 8 crore in 2022
- Smashed a 51-ball century against Mumbai Indians in IPL 2023, becoming only the second KKR batter to score an IPL ton after Brendon McCullum’s iconic 158 in 2008*
KKR fought off RCB to secure Venkatesh Iyer for INR 23.75 crore, making him the fourth most expensive player in IPL auction history.
KKR’s Title Defence Begins on March 22
With Rahane as captain and Venkatesh as his deputy, KKR will begin their title defense in the IPL 2025 season opener against RCB on March 22 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
The Rahane-Venkatesh era marks a new chapter for KKR, as they aim to retain their title and add a fourth IPL trophy to their collection.
