Defending champions the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), have made an ambitious move in advance of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season by appointing Ajinkya Rahane as their new captain. The veteran batter takes over the leadership from Shreyas Iyer, signaling a brand new era for the franchise.
But why did KKR choose Rahane over Venkatesh Iyer as their captain for IPL 2025? Here are three key reasons:
1. Proven Leadership in the IPL
Ajinkya Rahane is not a stranger to captaining inside the IPL. He previously led the Rajasthan Royals (RR) and proved his tactical acumen, guiding them to the playoffs in IPL 2018 despite the absence of their skipper, Steve Smith.
Rahane’s leadership style is calm, composed, and tactical, making him an ideal choice to manage pressure situations.
- Making sharp bowling changes
- Setting good field placements
- Guiding the batting lineup with experience
KKR’s squad is a blend of young talent and experienced players, and Rahane’s ability to bring stability and strategic thinking makes him the perfect fit.
2. Success as India’s Test Captain
Rahane’s captaincy credentials extend far past the IPL. He famously led India to a historic test victory in Australia (2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy), while Virat Kohli left after the first test.
Under Rahane’s leadership, India:
- Bounced back from a bad loss in Adelaide to win the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, where Rahane scored a match-winning century
- Managed a depleted squad and defeated Australia at the Gabba, breaking their 32-year unbeaten streak at the venue
His ability to motivate players, adapt techniques, and handle stress became a complete show at some point in that series. This experience makes him a natural choice to guide KKR within the high-pressure IPL matches.
3. Experienced and Reliable Indian Captaincy Option
Even as KKR has remote places stars like Andre Russell, Rovman Powell and Sunil Narine, the group wished for a dependable Indian captain given that the most effective 4 distant places players may be in the playing XI at a time.
Rahane brings:
- Consistency in the squad, unlike foreign captains who may be rotated in the league
- Better communication with domestic players, helping in team bonding and on-field coordination, which is great
- Mentorship for young players like Venkatesh Iyer and Rinku Singh, helping them refine their game in IPL
Moreover, Rahane’s role is not just about captaincy; his presence in the batting lineup provides stability.
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Also Read: IPL 2025: Ajinkya Rahane Leads KKR, Venkatesh Iyer Gets Vice-Captain Role
