Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have taken a strategic move by naming Ajinkya Rahane as their captain for IPL 2025. The team, which had won the IPL 2024 title under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer, was left with a leadership void after he joined the mega auction and was retained by Punjab Kings for ₹26.75 crore.

Though KKR had some candidates for the captaincy role in mind, such as Venkatesh Iyer, they chose to make Rahane their skipper. Venky Mysore, CEO of KKR, reasoned that though they appreciate the abilities of Iyer, the pressure of captaincy in the IPL is tremendous, and it takes experience and maturity to perform well in the role.

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“IPL is a very demanding tournament. We rate very highly Venkatesh Iyer, but simultaneously, it [captaincy] is demanding on a young player. We have observed many individuals having many issues with it as they move ahead,” Mysore said to ESPNcricinfo.

This move has ignited debates among cricket experts and cricket aficionados regarding KKR’s leadership approach and how it will affect the team’s performance during IPL 2025.

KKR’s Leadership Journey: From Shreyas Iyer to Ajinkya Rahane

Shreyas Iyer’s Exit and Its Effect

Shreyas Iyer was instrumental in KKR’s victory in IPL 2024. With him as captain, the team won their third IPL championship, demonstrating powerful performances throughout the season. But before the IPL 2025 mega auction, Iyer chose to rejoin the bidding pool, and Punjab Kings signed him for ₹26.75 crore, making him one of the costliest players in IPL history. His exit left KKR without a captain, and they had to search for a new leader.

Rahane’s Unexpected Return to KKR

Ajinkya Rahane’s comeback to KKR was not in the cards. He remained unsold in the first round of the IPL 2025 auction, but KKR bought him for his base price of ₹1.5 crore during the recall process. This is his second time with KKR, having been with them earlier in IPL 2022. Although he had played just seven games in that season, his experience and leadership skills made him a desirable candidate for captaincy in IPL 2025.

What This Implications for KKR in IPL 2025

1. Leadership Stability

KKR will benefit from having a seasoned leader like Rahane in charge. His composed demeanor will play a pivotal role in tackling pressure situations.

2. Independence for Venkatesh Iyer to Concentrate on Performance

Without the additional pressure of captaincy, Venkatesh Iyer can concentrate on his batting and all-round performance, which KKR hopes will be worth their huge investment in him.

3. Experienced Captaincy in a Competitive Season of IPL

IPL 2025 will be highly competitive, with star players being heavily invested in by franchises. KKR’s selection of Rahane ensures that they have an experienced captain who understands the dynamics of the tournament.

How Experts and Fans Are Responding

Experts and fans of cricket have varying responses to KKR’s leadership decision.

Most analysts consider Rahane’s leadership experience to provide a calm and mature feel to the team. His former IPL and international captaincy experience render him a sure bet.

Ajinkya Rahane is a highly calm leader. He is a master of taking pressure, and that will help KKR during important matches.” A few KKR supporters are of the opinion that the team should have taken a chance on Venkatesh Iyer to lead, given the franchise’s investment in him.

Some others believe that a player such as Andre Russell or Sunil Narine, who have played for KKR for a few years, could have been considered.

Nevertheless, the majority of them believe that Rahane’s experience makes him the safest bet.

Rahane’s IPL Career: A Veteran’s Journey

Ajinkya Rahane has been with the IPL since its launch in 2008 and has represented several franchises, including:

  • Mumbai Indians (2008-2010)
  • Rajasthan Royals (2011-2015, 2018-2019)
  • Rising Pune Supergiants (2016-2017)
  • Delhi Capitals (2020-2021)
  • Kolkata Knight Riders (2022, 2025-Present)
  • Chennai Super Kings (2023-2024)

Rahane has always performed as a top-order bat and has been prominent for his classy strokes. His exposure to multiple teams extends his leadership credentials, and he is an asset worth having for KKR.

KKR’s decision to appoint Ajinkya Rahane as their IPL 2025 captain is a rational one in the interest of stability and achieving the best from the players. While Venkatesh Iyer is a reliable member of their squad, the franchise has preferred giving him time to focus on his game rather than putting excessive pressure on his shoulders.

With Rahane’s vast experience, calm head, and tried and tested leadership, KKR plans to take the momentum from their IPL 2024 success and launch a sturdy title defense of IPL 2025.

Over the course of the season, all eyes will be on Rahane to find out if he can lead KKR to their second IPL championship.