Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will start their IPL journey against Royal Challenger Bengaluru (RCB) on March 22 at Eden Gardens. However, KKR has not announced a captain for the season.
The main question is, who will lead KKR in IPL 2025? With Shreyas Iyer gone to Punjab after a mega auction, fans are eager to know who will captain the defending champions this season.
Here, we cover the latest update on KKR captaincy and what all-rounder star Venkatesh Iyer says about it.
KKR’s Captaincy Dilemma for IPL 2025
Shreyas Iyer led KKR to the IPL 2024 title, but his move to Punjab Kings left the captaincy gap in the team. Now, KKR must make a big decision on who will lead them in this season.
Fans have guessed several names, including Sunil Narine and Nitish Rana. Still, Venkatesh Iyer’s name comes first, and he has openly said that he is ready to take responsibility.
Venkatesh Iyer’s Statement on Leading KKR
Venkatesh Iyer made a bold statement about leading the team, focused on leadership rather than the captaincy tag, and expressed confidence in his ability to guide the team.
“Definitely, I’m ready. Again, I’ve always said this: captaincy is just a tag. I believe in leadership. That is a bigger role to play, being a leader,” Venkatesh told ESPNcricinfo.
“There’s no ambiguity surrounding this. I’ll definitely do it if it comes my way. There is no reason not to do it.” he added.
Iyer also highlighted the importance of setting an example and being a role model.
“You don’t necessarily need the tag of a captain to be a leader in your dressing room. You need to set examples. You need to be a good role model, both on and off the field, which I am doing right now in Madhya Pradesh.” he said.
Why might KKR consider Venkatesh Iyer as a captain?
KKR showed a big trust in Venkatesh Iyer when they bought him back for a massive INR 23.75 crore in the IPL 2025 auction after releasing him earlier in 2024. His consistent batting performances and all-around abilities make him a strong contender for the captaincy.
Iyer has never captained a professional team before, but he believes leadership is more than just a title. He values open team environments where players feel comfortable sharing opinions and contributing effectively.
Iyer has played 51 IPL matches, all for KKR, and scored 1326 runs. He has already proven himself as a key player.
His leadership mindset and deep understanding of the game could make him the perfect choice for captaincy in IPL 2025.
When Will KKR Announce Their Captain for IPL 2025?
KKR is still keeping the fans waiting for their captain’s announcement, but a decision will come soon. The team management is working hard to choose a captain for the IPL 2025.
If KKR appoints Venkatesh Iyer as captain, he will take on a new challenge and aim to lead the team to consecutive IPL titles.
