THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, March 3: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will kick off their IPL 2025 campaign as defending champions, hosting Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens on March 22.
The franchise, which clinched its third IPL title by defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2024 final, has appointed Ajinkya Rahane as captain for the upcoming season, with Venkatesh Iyer named as his deputy.
Rahane, an experienced campaigner who previously led Rajasthan Royals, was acquired by KKR at the IPL mega auction last November for his base price of ₹1.5 crore.
Meanwhile, Venkatesh Iyer, who was not among the team’s retained players, was brought back by KKR at a staggering ₹23.75 crore, making him one of the costliest buys of the auction.
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Rahane takes over the leadership role from Shreyas Iyer, who captained KKR to victory last season but was not retained ahead of the auction. Shreyas has since been signed by Punjab Kings and will lead the franchise in IPL 2025.
Ajinkya Rahane, in a statement released by KKR, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to captain the team, saying, “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.”
Announcing the decision, KKR CEO Venky Mysore said, “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.”
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