IPL 2025: Skipper Ajinkya Rahane joins KKR camp
What's the story
Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane has officially joined the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) squad ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
The seasoned batter was appointed as KKR's captain on March 3.
With the IPL set to commence in just 11 days, Rahane's leadership will be put to test as he aims to guide his team to another title victory.
Leadership
Rahane brings wealth of experience
Rahane's leadership role at KKR would be a major turnaround in his cricketing career.
He was recently adjudged the Player of the Tournament at the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, won by his side Mumbai.
Rahane has plenty of experience leading teams at different levels, including captaining the Indian Test team in Australia (2020/21) to a historic series win.
Career
A look at his IPL career
Rahane has represented six IPL teams so far - Rajasthan Royals, Rising Pune Supergiant, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, KKR, and Chennai Super Kings.
Overall, he has bagged 4,642 runs at 30.14, including two tons and 30 fifties. In 100 matches for the Royals, Rahane bagged 2,810 runs at 34.26 (100s: 2, 50s: 17).
He has also led in 25 IPL games (nine wins).
KKR
KKR to start as defending champions
KKR were crowned champions of IPL 2024. Led by Shreyas Iyer, KKR thrashed Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the final in Chennai on May 26. This was their third IPL title after winning in 2012 and 2014.
Notably, the 2024 season marked KKR's reunion with former skipper Gautam Gambhir.
Shreyas, who was later released, became the first-ever player to lead multiple sides to IPL finals.
KKR will face the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2025 opener on March 22.