Overview

• Ajinkya Rahane was chosen as Kolkata Knight Riders' captain for IPL 2025 due to his extensive leadership experience and calm demeanor, replacing Shreyas Iyer, who was released by the franchise.
• KKR CEO Venky Mysore explained that while Venkatesh Iyer was considered for the role, the management felt Rahane's maturity was better suited for the high-pressure tournament.
• Rahane, a veteran of the IPL, returns to KKR after being acquired for ₹1.5 crore during the auction, marking his second stint with the team since IPL 2022.
• The team began preparations for the season with a traditional prayer ceremony at Eden Gardens, attended by Rahane, head coach Chandrakant Pandit, and key players like Andre Russell and Anrich Nortje.
• KKR will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2025 opener on March 22, aiming to defend their title under Rahane's leadership.