KKR Announces Rahane as New Captain
Ajinkya Rahane has been named the new captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the upcoming IPL season, marking a significant shift in the team’s leadership. Rahane expressed his gratitude and excitement at the opportunity to lead such a successful franchise. "It’s an honour to be asked to lead KKR, which has been one of the most successful franchises in the IPL," Rahane said. "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’s Journey to KKR
Rahane’s path to the KKR captaincy was not straightforward. Based on the team’s strategy at the IPL mega auction last November, he may not have been part of their initial plans. During the auction, Rahane was unsold when his name came up on the first day, and he was only bought by KKR at his base price of INR 1.5 crore when his name came up again in the accelerated round on the second day, just before the auction ended. Despite this, KKR CEO Venky Mysore expressed confidence in Rahane’s abilities. "We are delighted to have someone like Ajinkya Rahane, who brings his experience and maturity as a leader," Mysore said. "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."
Rahane’s Previous Stints and Recent Form
Rahane’s appointment as KKR’s captain is his second stint with the franchise, having played for them in 2022. That year, he scored only 133 runs in seven matches at a strike rate of 103.90. However, Rahane had a significant rejuvenation at Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2023, where he scored 326 runs at a strike rate of 172.48. Despite his solid performance, IPL 2024 was not as productive for him, and he was released by CSK after making 242 runs at a strike rate of 123.46. He comes into this season on the back of an explosive performance for Mumbai in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he top-scored with 469 runs at a strike rate of 164.56.
Rahane’s Captaincy Experience
Rahane’s previous captaincy experience in the IPL includes 25 matches: one for Rising Pune Super Giants in 2017 and 24 for Rajasthan Royals in 2018-19. He was replaced by Steve Smith mid-way through the 2019 season. This experience, coupled with his recent performance, positions him well to lead KKR in their quest to defend their title. Rahane’s leadership qualities and on-field presence are expected to bring stability and direction to the team.
Venkatesh Iyer’s Role in KKR’s Success
Venkatesh Iyer, a key player for KKR, has been bought back by the franchise for INR 23.75 crore, making him the fourth most expensive purchase in IPL auction history. Iyer has been with KKR since 2021 and was a crucial part of their title-winning campaign last year, scoring 370 runs at a strike rate of 158.79. In a recent interview with ESPNcricinfo, Iyer expressed his readiness to lead KKR if offered the captaincy. His return and continued role in the team are expected to complement Rahane’s leadership.
KKR’s Season Opener and Team Dynamics
KKR will host the season opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens on March 22, a match that comes by virtue of their 2024 IPL title. They defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final, securing their third title under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer, who was not retained and is now the captain of Punjab Kings. With the new leadership in place, KKR is well-positioned to build on their success and challenge for another title. The only team yet to name a captain is Delhi Capitals (DC). Rishabh Pant had led DC last year but was not retained and will lead his new team, Lucknow Super Giants, in IPL 2025.
