In a major development ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have officially appointed Ajinkya Rahane as their new captain. Rahane takes over from Shreyas Iyer, who led KKR to a historic third IPL title last season but was subsequently released and acquired by Punjab Kings for a record-breaking INR 26.75 crore. Adding further strength to KKR’s leadership core, the franchise has also announced Venkatesh Iyer as the vice-captain after securing him for a staggering INR 23.75 crore in the IPL 2025 auction.
Ajinkya Rahane’s Statement on His Appointment
Expressing his gratitude and enthusiasm for the new role, Rahane acknowledged the significance of leading one of the most successful franchises in IPL history.
“It’s an honour to be asked to lead KKR, which has been one of the most successful franchises in the IPL. I believe we have an excellent and balanced squad. I look forward to working with everyone and taking up the challenge of defending our title,” said Rahane.
Rahane’s Career Revival and Auction Turnaround
Rahane’s return to the spotlight as KKR’s captain marks an extraordinary turnaround in his career. Initially, he found no takers in the IPL 2025 auction after an underwhelming stint with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2024, where he managed 242 runs in 13 innings. However, KKR swooped in during the accelerated auction round, signing him for his base price of INR 1.50 crore.
Since then, Rahane’s form has seen a remarkable resurgence. His outstanding performances in domestic cricket, particularly in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, played a crucial role in KKR’s decision to hand him the captaincy. Rahane topped the run charts in the tournament, amassing 469 runs at an astonishing average of 58.62 and a strike rate of 164.56—a clear testament to his renewed aggression and adaptability in the shortest format.
KKR’s Confidence in the New Leadership Pair
The franchise’s top brass has expressed full confidence in Rahane’s leadership abilities and the dynamic partnership he will form with vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer.
“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 KKR CEO Venky Mysore.
Rahane’s History with KKR and Captaincy Experience
This is not Rahane’s first stint with Kolkata Knight Riders. The franchise had previously acquired him before the IPL 2022 season, though his impact was limited—scoring only 133 runs in seven matches. After moving to CSK in IPL 2023, he revived his career with a stellar season, scoring 326 runs at a blistering strike rate of 172.49, contributing significantly to CSK’s championship victory.
Apart from his impressive IPL journey, Rahane is no stranger to captaincy. Having been part of the IPL since its inaugural season in 2008, he has captained in 25 matches—first leading the Rising Pune Supergiants in 2017 and then taking over the Rajasthan Royals captaincy for 24 matches across the 2018 and 2019 seasons. However, his win-loss record as captain stands at 9 victories and 16 defeats, something he will look to improve upon as he leads KKR into IPL 2025.
Venkatesh Iyer: The Big-Money Vice-Captain
While Rahane’s appointment as captain was a surprise to many, Venkatesh Iyer’s selection as vice-captain is an equally strategic move by KKR. The all-rounder has been a vital part of the franchise since they first signed him for his base price of INR 20 lakh in IPL 2021. His breakthrough came in the UAE leg of IPL 2021, where he scored 370 runs in 10 innings, including match-winning performances in Qualifier 2 and the Final, despite KKR falling short against CSK.
KKR’s decision to retain Venkatesh Iyer for INR 8 crore in 2022 proved valuable when he delivered a stunning 51-ball century against Mumbai Indians in IPL 2023—becoming only the second KKR player to score an IPL hundred after Brendon McCullum’s iconic innings in IPL 2008.
Recognizing his leadership potential, KKR went all-in during the IPL 2025 auction, fending off a bidding war with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and ultimately securing him for INR 23.75 crore—one of the highest bids in IPL history.
KKR’s Title Defense and IPL 2025 Opener
With Rahane and Venkatesh Iyer at the helm, Kolkata Knight Riders are gearing up for a strong title defense. The team will kick off their IPL 2025 campaign with an exciting season opener against RCB on March 22 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
