IPL 2025: Why KKR Trusted Ajinkya Rahane for Captaincy Over Venkatesh Iyer

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Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have appointed Ajinkya Rahane as their captain for IPL 2025. The franchise picked him over Venkatesh Iyer because of his experience. The management felt that captaincy could be tough for a young player like Iyer.

Why KKR Chose Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane has led teams before in both IPL and international cricket. He has played in the IPL since 2008 and has been part of six different teams. He also led Rising Pune Supergiant and Rajasthan Royals in the past. His leadership skills and calm approach made him the best choice for KKR.

KKR CEO Venky Mysore said that Venkatesh Iyer was considered for the captaincy. However, the team felt that the pressure of leading a side in a long tournament like IPL would be too much for him.

Mysore told ESPNcricinfo, “IPL is a tough tournament. Captaincy is stressful for a young player. Many players struggle with it.”

KKR’s Mega Auction Strategy

KKR spent a lot of money to keep their top players. They paid ₹23.75 crore to retain Venkatesh Iyer. However, even after this big investment, they chose Rahane as their leader. This shows how much the franchise values experience in leadership.

Ajinkya Rahane was not picked in the early rounds of the IPL 2025 mega auction. Later, when unsold players were given another chance, KKR signed him for ₹1.5 crore. He had previously played for KKR in IPL 2022.

Shreyas Iyer’s Exit

KKR won their third IPL title in 2024 under Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy. However, before the IPL 2025 mega auction, they decided to release him. He was then bought by Punjab Kings for ₹26.75 crore, making him the second-most expensive player in IPL history.

Rahane’s Recent Performance

Rahane has been performing well in domestic cricket. He recently led Mumbai to the semi-finals of the Ranji Trophy. He scored 467 runs in the tournament, including a century. KKR hopes that his experience and leadership will help them perform well in IPL 2025.

Story First Published at www.probatsman.com on 16 March 2025

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