IPL 2025: The Reason Behind KKR Choosing Ajinkya Rahane Over Venkatesh Iyer as Captain

Ajinkya Rahane has been appointed captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the IPL, reflecting his extensive experience and maturity, as noted by franchise CEO Venky Mysore. Rahane’s leadership skills are deemed essential for navigating the challenges of the tournament, especially as KKR transitions from Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy. Venkatesh Iyer, who previously contended for the role, has been named Rahane’s deputy and is seen as a future captain. Mysore expressed confidence that Rahane, who has played since IPL’s inception, will mentor Venkatesh, enhancing the team’s overall strength and cohesion.

Ajinkya Rahane’s extensive experience and “maturity” in managing the high-stakes environment of the IPL played a key role in his selection as the captain of the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), according to the franchise’s CEO, Venky Mysore.

Rahane was among the candidates for the captaincy, competing with Venkatesh Iyer, the allrounder from India and Madhya Pradesh. Although Venkatesh was released after the 2024 season, KKR later acquired him again at the auction for INR 23.75 crore (approximately US$2.3 million). While Venkatesh expressed his willingness to lead if given the opportunity, KKR ultimately chose Rahane for the role, designating Venkatesh as his deputy.

“The IPL is a highly competitive tournament,” Mysore stated to ESPNcricinfo. “We certainly hold Venkatesh Iyer in high regard, but leading can be demanding for a young player. Many have faced significant challenges in that role over time. It requires a calm hand, along with maturity and experience, which we believe Ajinkya possesses.”

Shreyas Iyer had led KKR to victory in IPL 2024, but the franchise was unable to retain him as he opted to enter the auction again, where he was acquired by Punjab Kings. Coincidentally, Rahane was the first player to be introduced on the second day of the auction last November, but he remained unsold initially. KKR later secured Rahane for his base price of INR 1.5 crore (around $180,000) during the final phase of the auction when teams could bring back unsold players of their choice.

This marks Rahane’s second tenure with KKR, having played seven matches for them in IPL 2022, which ended with the team finishing seventh. Over the years, Rahane has represented six franchises in the IPL and is part of the select group of players who have participated since the league’s inception in 2008. He has some leadership experience with the Indian team (achieving eight wins in 11 matches across formats), is among the most accomplished active captains in domestic cricket, and has led in 25 matches across two IPL franchises: once with Rising Pune Supergiant and the remainder with Rajasthan Royals.

Mysore believes such extensive experience will be invaluable for KKR. “Ajinkya has played 185 IPL matches and around 200 international matches across formats,” Mysore noted. “He has captained India, led Mumbai in domestic competitions, and has experience in IPL leadership. Additionally, he has been part of the IPL since its first season. All of these factors are significant. His appointment as captain should come as no surprise.”

“The importance of captaincy cannot be overlooked. This will be my 15th season, and I have witnessed a lot. It’s not just about on-field actions; there is much more to the IPL experience, including dealing with the media and managing expectations in relation to the captaincy. Given that this is a new cycle and our team is diverse, a successful captain must invest in building relationships with everyone to maximize their potential.

“Additionally, there are preparatory elements involved, such as team camps, meetings for bowlers and batters, and interactions with coaches—which can be overwhelming. From this vantage point, we are fortunate to have Ajinkya, who promises to be outstanding for us, not just as a captain, which is beyond question, but also as a batsman. He has amassed numerous runs.”

Venkatesh Iyer is ‘captaincy material’

Mysore also indicated that Venkatesh would remain part of the leadership group and has the potential to evolve into a future captain. “We are extremely impressed with his demonstrated leadership qualities,” Mysore remarked. “He is a franchise player, and his contributions in terms of participation, respect from his peers, and the energy he brings to the team are commendable… he undoubtedly has tremendous potential. He is certainly one for the future, as he is indeed captaincy material.”

Mysore stated that appointing Venkatesh as vice-captain would also provide him the opportunity to learn from Rahane. “Knowing Ajinkya, he will guide [Venkatesh] closely and mentor him on matters of captaincy. I expect them to work very closely together, almost as if they are joined at the hip.”

Nagraj Gollapudi is the news editor at ESPNcricinfo

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