KKR CEO Venky Mysore Reveals Reasons Behind Picking Ajinkya Rahane As Captain Over Venkatesh Iyer For IPL 2025

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have made a bold and strategic move by appointing veteran cricketer Ajinkya Rahane as their captain for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. Alongside him, Venkatesh Iyer has been named vice-captain, ensuring a strong leadership core within the team.

This decision has generated significant discussion among fans and cricket analysts, particularly because Iyer was KKR’s most expensive buy at the IPL 2025 mega auction, bagging a staggering INR 23.75 crore. Given his rising stature and the speculation surrounding his captaincy ambitions, many were curious about why the leadership role ultimately went to Rahane.

KKR CEO Venky Mysore has now shed light on the franchise’s rationale behind this crucial appointment, emphasizing experience, temperament, and leadership qualities as key factors in the decision.

Ajinkya Rahane: The Ideal Leader for KKR

Ajinkya Rahane is no stranger to leadership roles. He has led India in Test cricket, most notably during the historic 2020/21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia, where he orchestrated a stunning comeback victory despite the absence of Virat Kohli. Under his captaincy, India clinched the series 2-1, securing a remarkable triumph at the Gabba.

His leadership credentials extend beyond international cricket. Rahane has previously captained IPL franchises like the Rajasthan Royals, gaining valuable experience in leading teams in high-pressure T20 situations.

Additionally, his recent form in domestic cricket has been nothing short of exceptional. He captained Mumbai to titles in both the Irani Cup and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, proving that he is not just a leader but also an in-form batter.

Rahane’s Outstanding Domestic Performance

Rahane’s dominance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy was particularly noteworthy:

469 runs in 8 innings
Average: 58.62
Strike Rate: 164.56

These numbers highlight Rahane’s transformation into a formidable T20 player, capable of leading from the front and anchoring the batting order.

Venky Mysore emphasized that Rahane’s leadership experience, calm demeanor, and extensive IPL experience made him the natural choice to lead KKR.

“It takes a very steady hand, a lot of maturity, and experience, which we felt Ajinkya brings with him. He has played 185 IPL games, 200 international games across formats. He has led India, led Mumbai in domestic, and captained in the IPL. He has played since the first season of IPL. That is massive. There should be no surprise at all.”

He further added:

“We are lucky to have Ajinkya. Not only as a captain—of which there is no doubt—but also as a batsman. He has scored tons of runs and will be terrific for us this season.”

With such strong backing from the management, Rahane now carries the responsibility of leading KKR to their third IPL title.

Why Wasn’t Venkatesh Iyer Given Captaincy?

Venkatesh Iyer was one of the most talked-about names during the IPL 2025 mega auction. KKR made headlines by breaking the bank with INR 23.75 crore, making him the second-most expensive player in IPL history.

With such a hefty price tag and his evident all-round abilities, many assumed that Iyer might be the frontrunner for the captaincy role. Moreover, Iyer had openly expressed his willingness and readiness to take on the leadership responsibility.

However, KKR’s management made a conscious decision to ease the burden on Iyer, allowing him to focus on his individual performances instead of taking on the pressure of captaincy.

Venky Mysore explained the logic behind this move:

“IPL is quite an intense tournament. Clearly, we think very well of Venkatesh Iyer, but at the same time, captaincy is taxing on a youngster. We have seen lots of players struggle with the pressure of leadership at an early stage in their careers.”

It is a well-known fact that captaining an IPL franchise can be incredibly demanding, with short turnarounds between matches, intense media scrutiny, and high expectations from fans. KKR did not want to place additional stress on Iyer, who is still relatively new to leadership roles at the highest level.

By appointing Rahane as captain and Iyer as vice-captain, KKR has struck a balance between experience and youth, ensuring a smooth leadership transition in the future.

KKR’s Leadership Strategy for IPL 2025

With Rahane at the helm and Iyer as his deputy, KKR’s leadership duo presents an interesting blend of experience and aggression.

Rahane brings
- Calmness under pressure
- Tactical acumen
- Experience across formats
- The ability to anchor the innings
Iyer adds
- Explosive batting
- A fearless approach
- The energy of youth
- A future leadership prospect

By allowing Iyer to develop under Rahane’s guidance, KKR is ensuring that their leadership structure remains strong for years to come.

KKR’s Chances in IPL 2025

With a solid captain in Ajinkya Rahane and a power-packed squad, KKR will be aiming to clinch their third IPL title, having last won the tournament in 2014.

Some key strengths of KKR heading into IPL 2025 include:
A well-balanced squad featuring experienced campaigners and young talents
A settled batting order with Iyer, Rahane, and explosive middle-order hitters
A strong bowling unit, combining international stars and emerging domestic pacers
Stable leadership, with Rahane guiding the team on and off the field

While other franchises have opted for younger captains, KKR’s decision to back a seasoned leader like Rahane might give them the edge in crunch situations.

Final Thoughts

KKR’s decision to appoint Ajinkya Rahane as captain and Venkatesh Iyer as vice-captain has set the stage for an exciting IPL 2025 season. While Iyer remains a vital part of the squad and a potential future captain, the franchise has made a strategic choice to let him focus on his performances without the added pressure of leadership.

With Rahane’s wealth of experience, calm temperament, and proven leadership, KKR will be looking to end their decade-long IPL title drought. Now, it’s up to the players to deliver on the field and prove that this leadership change was the right call.

Will Rahane lead KKR to their third IPL title? Will Iyer step up as vice-captain and make an impact? The answers will unfold when IPL 2025 kicks off, and KKR fans will be eagerly watching every move their team makes!

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