KKR GAME READY!! Ajinkya Rahane Takes the Helm for IPL 2025
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the defending champions of the Indian Premier League (IPL), have named veteran Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane as their captain for the upcoming 2025 season.
In a surprising yet inspiring move, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the defending champions of the Indian Premier League (IPL), have named veteran Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane as their captain for the upcoming 2025 season. The announcement, made on Monday, marks a new chapter for the franchise following their title-winning campaign in 2024 under Shreyas Iyer, who has now moved to lead Punjab Kings.
Rahane, 36, brings a wealth of experience and a renewed T20 flair to the role. Known predominantly for his exploits in Test cricket—most notably leading India to a historic series victory in Australia in 2020-21—Rahane has undergone a remarkable transformation in the shortest format. His recent performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, where he emerged as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 469 runs at an impressive strike rate of 164.56, underscored his adaptability and silenced doubters about his white-ball credentials.
The right-handed batter’s resurgence in T20 cricket was also evident during his stint with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in previous IPL seasons, where he showcased an aggressive yet composed approach. KKR, who picked Rahane at his base price of Rs 1.5 crore in the mega auction, have now entrusted him with the responsibility of defending their title—a challenge he has embraced with enthusiasm.
“It’s an honour to be asked to lead KKR, which has been one of the most successful franchises in the IPL,” Rahane said in a statement. “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 steps into the shoes of Shreyas Iyer, whose departure from KKR after a triumphant 2024 season caught many by surprise. With limited captaincy options in the squad, KKR chose Rahane over other contenders like Venkatesh Iyer, who has been named vice-captain, and the dynamic Rinku Singh. Rahane’s prior experience with KKR, coupled with his leadership pedigree, likely tipped the scales in his favor.
This isn’t Rahane’s first tryst with IPL captaincy. He previously led Rajasthan Royals but was replaced mid-season by Steve Smith in 2019. More recently, he guided Mumbai to the semifinals of the Ranji Trophy, further proving his ability to steer teams under pressure.
