Ajinkya Rahane’s vast experience and leadership qualities have earned him the captaincy of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for IPL 2025, with Venkatesh Iyer appointed as his deputy. The decision, confirmed by KKR CEO Venky Mysore, was based on Rahane’s ability to handle the intense demands of the tournament.
Rahane’s Experience the Key Factor
KKR had multiple contenders for the captaincy, including Venkatesh Iyer, who was released after the 2024 season but bought back for INR 23.75 crore ($2.3 million approx.) at the auction. While Iyer had expressed readiness to lead the side, KKR opted for Rahane’s maturity and experience.
“IPL is quite an intense tournament,” Mysore told ESPNcricinfo. “Clearly, we think very well of Venkatesh Iyer, but at the same time, captaincy is taxing on a youngster. It takes a steady hand, a lot of maturity, and experience, which we felt Ajinkya brings with him.”
Rahane’s return to KKR comes after Shreyas Iyer, who captained the franchise to victory in IPL 2024, was not retained and re-entered the auction, eventually being bought by Punjab Kings.
A Second Stint with KKR
This will be Rahane’s second stint with KKR, having previously played seven matches in IPL 2022 when the team finished seventh. Despite going unsold initially at the 2024 auction, KKR secured him for his base price of INR 1.5 crore ($180,000 approx.) at the end of the event.
Rahane is one of the most experienced players in IPL history, having played for six different franchises since the league’s inception in 2008. He has also captained teams in the IPL before, leading Rajasthan Royals and Rising Pune Supergiant, and has eight wins in 11 matches as India’s captain across formats.
KKR Confident in Rahane’s Leadership
Mysore highlighted Rahane’s wealth of experience as a key reason for his appointment.
“He has played 185 IPL games, nearly 200 international games across formats. He has led India, Mumbai in domestic cricket, and captained in the IPL. All that is massive. There should be no surprise at all [about appointing Rahane as captain].”
Mysore also emphasized that IPL captaincy goes beyond just on-field decisions.
“Captaincy cannot be underestimated. There’s a lot to handle, from media expectations to building relationships within the team. It takes a leader who understands all these aspects, and Ajinkya is perfect for the role.”
Venkatesh Iyer: A Future KKR Captain?
While Rahane leads KKR in 2025, Venkatesh Iyer remains a key figure in the team’s leadership structure. Mysore described Iyer as “captaincy material” and a franchise player with strong leadership qualities.
“We have been very impressed with the leadership qualities that Venkatesh has shown. He brings energy to the dressing room, earns the respect of his teammates, and has a great understanding of the game. He is definitely a future captain for us.”
By appointing Iyer as vice-captain, KKR aims to groom him for a future leadership role. Mysore also believes Rahane will play a mentorship role for Iyer.
“Knowing Ajinkya, he will take Venkatesh under his wing and mentor him in captaincy. They will work very closely together, which will benefit both the team and Iyer’s growth as a leader.”
Conclusion
With Ajinkya Rahane at the helm and Venkatesh Iyer as his deputy, KKR enters IPL 2025 with a well-balanced leadership group. Rahane’s calm and experienced approach will guide the team through the tournament, while Iyer’s young energy and potential ensure a promising future for KKR’s leadership.
