TOP STORIES

IPL 2025: KKR ready to defend their title under the leadership of Rahane

Tuesday, 18-Mar-2025
News

Kolkata Knight Riders enter the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as defending champions, ready to defend their title with a squad that is well-balanced and filled with potential. After a blazing season last year, where they lifted the IPL trophy under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer, the team now faces a new chapter with a significant change at the helm. KKR will be led by a new skipper in the upcoming edition of the tournament. Ajinkya Rahane has been appointed as their new captain, following the release of Iyer. KKR’s strength lies in their all-around balance.

In recent seasons, they have played high-quality game, challenging the well-established teams. In the batting department, players like Rinku Singh, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Venkatesh Iyer and Andre Russell offer explosive firepower at the top of the order. This year, they will be solidified by the availability of explosive batter Quinton de Kock, who possesses the ability to turn the things around. 

Meanwhile, Sunil Narine, Rovman Powell and Manish Pandey provide more versatile option in the middle order. On the bowling front, KKR have an impressive mix of pace and spin, led by Spencer Johnson, Luvnith Sisodia, Anukul Roy, Moeen Ali and Mayank Markande. The most notable change for KKR this season is the appointment of Ajinkya Rahane as the team’s new captain. Rahane brings with him a wealth of experience, both as a player and as a leader. Having captained the Indian team, his leadership pedigree is unquestionable. 

His calm demeanour and sharp thinking will be invaluable in high-pressure situations. As defending champions, KKR will face heightened expectations this season. Meanwhile, the team is loaded with talent, and under Rahane’s leadership, they have all the armoury for another successful campaign. On paper, KKR look well-positioned to make another deep run in the IPL and possibly lift the trophy once more. They will begin their campaign by facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2025 opener on Saturday at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. 

KKR IPL 2025 squad: Ajinkya Rahane (c), Rinku Singh, Quinton de Kock, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Venkatesh Iyer, Ramandeep Singh, Andre Russell, Anrich Nortje, Harshit Rana, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy, Vaibhav Arora, Mayank Markande, Rovman Powell, Manish Pandey, Spencer Johnson, Luvnith Sisodia, Anukul Roy, Moeen Ali

Injury replacement: Umran Malik was replaced by Chetan Sakariya.

 

 

 

Tags

More News

News

TNPL 2025, Salem Spartans vs Dindigul Dragons: All you need to know

8 hrs ago

The 19th match of the ongoing Tamil Nadu Premier League will see the showdown between Salem Spartans and Dindigul Dragons on Sunday at Indian Cement Company Ground, Tirunelveli. 

Salem Spartans are perched comfortably in second place in the TNPL points table, having secured three wins from five matches. They’ll be eager to ...


News

WI-W vs SA-W 2nd T20I: All you need to know

11 hrs ago

South Africa and West Indies will face each other in the second T20I match of the three-match series on Sunday in Barbados. With South Africa currently leading the three-match series 1–0, the second game will be crucial for West Indies to remain alive in the series. 

In the first T20I, South Africa dominated, restricting West Indies to a to...


News

“We really enjoyed together”: Yashasvi Jaiswal on batting alongside Gill

13 hrs ago

India made a resounding statement on Day 1 of the first Test against England in Leeds, closing the day at a commanding 359 for 3, thanks to breathtaking centuries from young stars Yashasvi Jaiswal and new Test skipper Shubman Gill. The duo’s partnership not only blunted the English bowling attack but also put India into d...


News

Bavuma out of Zimbabwe Tests

15 hrs ago

South African captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of the upcoming two-match Test series against Zimbabwe due to a left hamstring injury. In Bavuma’s absence, Keshav Maharaj will serve as the team’s red-ball captain for the series that starts from June 28. 

Bavuma picked up the injury during day three of the World Test Championship...


News

Michael Vaughan 'staggered' by England decision to bowl

15 hrs ago

Former England cricketer Michael Vaughan has strongly criticised current skipper Ben Stokes’ decision to bowl first in the opening Test against India at Headingley, Leeds. The bold move backfired spectacularly, with India seizing the upper hand on Day One after piling up an imposing 359/3 by stumps. India’s top order took full advantage of the flat ...