Ajinkya Rahane eclipses Venkatesh Iyer to become the KKR captain for IPL 2025

The defending champions have counted on experience as Kolkata Knight Riders have zeroed in on Ajinkya Rahane to lead the team in IPL 2025. The three-time champions experienced a rocky path up to the IPL 2025 mega auction as title-winning skipper Shreyas Iyer was released from the camp. In the mega auction, KKR made headlines by splurging as high as 23.75 crores on all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer. In the process of letting go of one Iyer and going all in for another, it seemed that KKR had already settled on the captaincy replacement. However, Ajinkya Rahane, the former skipper of Rajasthan Royals, has edged past Venkatesh Iyer in contention.

Ajinkya Rahane named KKR captain and Venkatesh Iyer his deputy for IPL 2025

Ajinkya Rahane was announced as the KKR captain on Monday, with Venkatesh Iyer set to assist the Mumbai batter as the team's vice-captain. Under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer and the mentorship of Gautam Gambhir, Kolkata overcame Sunrisers Hyderabad to win the IPL 2024 title, the team's third in the league's history. However, the upcoming edition will mark a new era for the defending champions as Shreyas Iyer has now moved to Punjab Kings. With the biggest purse in the mega auction, Punjab captured Shreyas Iyer for a record-breaking sum of 26.75 crores. In turn, KKR reclaimed Venkatesh Iyer for 23.75 crores. Meanwhile, Ajinkya Rahane, formerly with Chennai Super Kings, joined KKR in the mega auction for 1.50 crores.

However, keeping the price tags limited to the mega auction only, KKR has counted on the Mumbai batter's expertise for the season ahead. Venkatesh Iyer expressed his readiness for the position on many occasions after the auction. However, the management has favored the senior in the race, as Ajinkya Rahane is set to lead the defending champions in the season ahead. The stint would mark Rahane's second association with KKR after playing the 2022 season with the team before moving to Chennai Super Kings.

"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 following the appointment.

Rahane's selection as the leader comes after a successful domestic season with Mumbai, where the batter played an elemental role in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy victory. The Indian batter hit 469 runs at an average of 58.62 and a strike rate of 164.56 in Mumbai's charge up to the title. Venkatesh Iyer, a competent all-rounder and central to KKR's plans since the 2021 season, will assist Rahane as the team's vice-captain.

"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," KKR CEO Venky Mysore said after appointing Rahane as the leader in charge.