Ajinkya Rahane has rejoined the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) after being acquired at his base price of INR 1.50 crore during the IPL mega auction. This marks Rahane’s second stint with the two-time IPL champions as they prepare for the 18th edition of the cash-rich league. According to reports, Rahane is now the leading candidate to captain KKR in the upcoming season.
His extensive leadership experience includes captaining the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, leading the Indian Test team in notable victories, and serving as the skipper of Mumbai’s red-ball side. Despite being replaced by Shreyas Iyer as Mumbai’s T20 captain in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Rahane’s credentials make him a strong choice for the KKR captaincy.
A source quoted by Times of India revealed, “At the moment, it’s 90% confirmed that Ajinkya Rahane will be the new KKR captain. He was brought into the squad specifically with the captaincy role in mind.”
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Rahane’s journey in the IPL has been a mix of highs and lows. His initial stint with KKR in 2022 was underwhelming, yielding only 133 runs in seven matches at a strike rate of 103.91. However, he bounced back in IPL 2023 with the Chennai Super Kings, scoring an impressive 326 runs at a blistering strike rate of 172.49, his career-best in a single IPL season.
“Ajinkya Rahane is one of the most underrated leaders in cricket. His calm approach and tactical brilliance make him a perfect choice to lead KKR in IPL 2025. Time for a fresh start with a proven leader!
— Harsh 17 (@harsh03443) December 2, 2024
While his performance dipped in 2024 with 242 runs from 13 games, the leadership mantle could inspire Rahane to rediscover his best form.
KKR’s approach to leadership has traditionally offered significant autonomy to their captains, and Rahane’s familiarity with the franchise could be an asset. As KKR aims to reclaim the IPL title, Rahane’s calm demeanour and tactical acumen might be pivotal in guiding the team through the competitive 10-team league.
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Interestingly, many anticipated Venkatesh Iyer, who was retained for a staggering INR 23.75 crore at the IPL 2025 auction, to take over the captaincy. However, the franchise seems to prioritize Rahane’s seasoned leadership over Iyer’s youthful energy, signalling their trust in the veteran’s ability to steer the team to success.
