Can Kolkata Knight Riders defend their title in IPL 2025?

Kolkata Knight Riders will head into IPL 2025 without two of their most influential figures - India’s current head coach, Gautam Gambhir, and their former captain, Shreyas Iyer. Iyer, who was in stellar form in ICC Champions Trophy 2025, led KKR to their third IPL title, while Gambhir played a key role in all three of their championship-winning campaigns.  Losing both is certainly a massive setback for the franchise. Nevertheless, the focus now shifts to the road ahead. The three-time IPL winners have appointed Ajinka Rahane as their new skipper. He had a forgettable outing for CSK last year, averaging 20.17. Rahane was also part of the KKR franchise in the 2022 season, where he recorded 133 runs at a forgettable average of 19.00. 

His exceptional performance in the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy must have influenced KKR’s decision to bring him back. But, let’s not forget that the Indian Premier League is a different ball game. Looking at his form, it was a decent decision to bring him in the squad, however, making him as captain remains a debatable choice. . 

Who all comprise KKR's top-order? 

Along with Rahane, Kolkata Knight Riders have invested in Quinton de Kock in the top-order. Lucknow Super Giants gave him only four appearances in the 2023 edition, while the South African featured in 11 games, last season. He managed to score 250 runs at 22.73. While his quality is undeniable, whether he still has the firepower to dominate an IPL season remains to be seen. 

One of the biggest reasons behind KKR’s success last season was Sunil Narine’s return to the top. However, the West Indies adds the element of uncertainty as far as the batting is concerned. To add to that, KKR have got Manish Pandey, who has endured poor form for quite some time now. 

All-rounders gives middle-order much-needed confidence 

There is no denying the fact that Kolkata’s batting depth gives them confidence. Plenty of all-rounders present makes them a force to be reckoned with. They went all guns blazing for Venkatesh Iyer at the auction and he should go into the season as one of their most important players. 

The southpaw gives that solidity in that batting line-up, while the retention of Rinku Singh, Ramandeep, Andre Russell ensures KKR have no dearth of fire-power in the middle-order. As for the impact player, KKR could utilize someone like Rovman Powell or Moeen Ali, depending on the match situation. 

With such a powerful middle-order, KKR would just be hoping to get solid starts at the top, consistently, throughout the tournament. 

Who is KKR’s trump card in bowling ? 

With Mitchell Starc no longer in the squad, KKR need a new-match winner in big games.. Kolkata have brought in Spencer Johnson, who had an ordinary return in the recent ICC Champions Trophy 2025. 

The Australian fast bowler made his IPL debut last year for Gujarat Titans but it’s unlikely that he would be KKR’s first-choice overseas pacer with Anrich Nortje also in the team. The South African pacer brings the raw pace and is well-suited to play at Eden Gardens. However, let’s not forget that he is coming from an injury and it will take him some time to find his rhythm. . 

So who is Kolkata’s biggest bet? 

The man in form - Varun Chakravarthy. The KKR spinner has been in phenomenal form of late, and will be a player to watch out for in the tournament. Chakravarthy was the second- highest wicket-taker in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, finishing with nine wickets in just three games. KKR have got two brilliant spinners in Sunil Narine and Varun Chakrvarthy and and KKR’s success could heavily depend on their eight overs in every match. 

KKR Full squad for IPL 2025

Rinku Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Harshit Rana, Ramandeep Singh, Venkatesh Iyer, Quinton de Kock, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Anrich Nortje, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Vaibhav Arora, Mayank Markande, Rovman Powell, Manish Pandey, Spencer Johnson.