Ajinkya Rahane excited to lead KKR in IPL 2025
What's the story
Ajinkya Rahane, the newly appointed captain of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has said he is excited to lead the team in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
The veteran cricketer, who returned to KKR for ₹1.5 crore at the mega auction ahead of this season, is set to defend their title after not being part of the franchise for two seasons.
New role
Rahane ready for the challenge of captaincy
Rahane's return to KKR comes after Shreyas Iyer, who led them to their third IPL title in 2024, opted against being retained ahead of the mega auction.
This will be Rahane's first opportunity to lead an IPL side in six years.
The veteran cricketer is all set for this new challenge and is excited to take his team to victory once again.
Gratitude expressed
Rahane appreciates support from KKR management
In a video shared by Star Sports, Rahane thanked the KKR management for giving him this important responsibility.
He said, "First of all, it's an honor for me to be the captain of this wonderful franchisee, and I'm really thankful and grateful to the management for giving me this opportunity."
Rahane also spoke about his close relationship with head coach Chandrakant Pandit.
Game plan
Rahane's strategy for IPL 2025
Rahane detailed his plan for the next season, emphasizing on keeping the communication open with players and giving them the freedom to express themselves on the field.
He admitted defending their title would be a tough task but promised fans they would give their best this season.
"We love this game and as I mentioned, this is an honor for me to lead this wonderful franchise," he added.
Leadership journey
Rahane's extensive experience in cricket
The 36-year-old cricketer comes with a wealth of experience to his new role, having captained India across all three formats at the international level.
His extensive knowledge and experience will prove to be invaluable as he steps into Iyer's shoes and looks to create another successful chapter in KKR's IPL history.
Rahane has been part of IPL since its inception, making him well-equipped for this leadership position.