IPL 2025: Ajinkya Rahane to Lead KKR, Venkatesh Iyer Named Vice-Captain

Ajinkya Rahane. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the defending champions of the Indian Premier League (IPL), have made a big announcement ahead of the 2025 season. On March 3, they revealed that Ajinkya Rahane will be the captain for the upcoming season, while Venkatesh Iyer will serve as his vice-captain. Rahane is returning to KKR for his second stint, and this announcement has generated a lot of excitement for the upcoming IPL season.

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Rahane’s Return to KKR

Ajinkya Rahane is no stranger to KKR. He played for the team during the 2022 IPL season, where he featured in 7 matches and scored 133 runs. After that, Rahane spent two years with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), where he made a strong impact in T20 cricket and earned a return to India’s Test squad, even playing in the 2023 World Test Championship final.

His leadership experience comes from his previous role as the captain of Rajasthan Royals in 2018 and 2019. He is also the current captain of Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy and was the vice-captain of the Indian national team under Virat Kohli’s captaincy. This wealth of experience makes Rahane a great fit for leading KKR in the 2025 season.

Venkatesh Iyer as Vice-Captain

Venkatesh Iyer, who was bought for a whopping 23.75 crore rupees during the IPL 2025 auction, will serve as Rahane’s deputy. Iyer has been with KKR since his debut season in 2021 and has grown into one of the team’s key players. His leadership qualities and all-round skills make him a strong choice for the vice-captaincy.

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Rahane’s Thoughts on the New Role

Speaking about his appointment, Rahane expressed his excitement and honor in being asked to lead KKR. He highlighted that the team has a well-balanced squad, which he believes will be crucial for defending the IPL title.

“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 said.

KKR’s CEO Comments

KKR’s CEO, Venky Mysore, shared his thoughts on the leadership announcement. He praised Rahane for bringing his experience and maturity to the team, and also spoke highly of Venkatesh Iyer’s leadership qualities.

“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,” said Mysore.

Read Also:- Venkatesh Iyer Stokes Claim for KKR Captaincy After IPL 2025 Auction

KKR’s Squad for IPL 2025

KKR’s squad for the 2025 season includes a mix of experienced players and promising talents. Some of the notable players in the squad include:

• Rinku Singh
• Varun Chakaravarthy
• Sunil Narine
• Andre Russell
• Venkatesh Iyer
• Quinton de Kock
• Rahmanullah Gurbaz
• Anrich Nortje
• Moeen Ali
• Umran Malik

The Road Ahead for KKR

KKR will begin their IPL 2025 campaign by facing Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on March 22, marking the opening day of the season. With a strong squad and experienced leadership, KKR will look to defend their IPL title and make another successful run in the tournament. Catch all the live updates and news about IPL 2025 and more only on UC Cricket.

As the new season approaches, fans are eagerly waiting to see how Rahane, Iyer, and the rest of the team perform in their quest to retain the coveted IPL trophy.

Disclaimer: The information presented in this news article is based on the author’s insights, analysis, and perspective. Readers are encouraged to evaluate the details thoughtfully and draw their own conclusions.

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