Kolkata Knight Riders Betray Rinku Singh Before IPL 2025!! Considers These Two Players For Captaincy

Two of the five franchises, including the Kolkata Knight Riders, are yet to announce their new captain for the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The three other franchises, Lucknow Super Giants, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Punjab Kings, have already declared their captains.

The defending champions enjoyed a great time in 2024 under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer. However, the franchise has not retained the middle-order batter for the upcoming season, as the Punjab side grabbed the chance to earn Iyer’s services and appointed him as the new leader.

Kolkata Knight Riders’ dream journey in IPL 2024

The Kolkata Knight Riders impressively began the season with three victories against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Delhi Capitals. They slipped with a rare defeat in the season against the Chennai Super Kings by seven wickets before a scratchy time with victories and defeat on successive occasions.

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However, the purple side earned four victories in the six five fixtures, including two wash-out affairs. The Knight Riders weren’t required to sweat much during the first qualifier against the Sunrisers on May 21 by eight wickets before beating the same side in the final.

The situation on the side won’t be the same for the side. They will be without their successful captain and also mentor, Gautam Gambhir, who has joined the Indian side as the head coach and won’t be part of the IPL 2025.

Kolkata Knight Riders consider Ajinkya Rahane and Venkatesh Iyer for the captaincy position

The three-time champions have a few options in the leadership department. However, the reports have claimed that the focus of the management is on Venkatesh Iyer and Ajinkya Rahane. That has nearly ruled out Rinku Singh from the mix.

The left-handed lower middle-order batter from Uttar Pradesh has been a vital member of the squad for a long time. Last year, he smashed 168 runs in 11 innings at an average of 18.66 and a strike rate of 148.67, shouldering on the best score of 26. Rinku has been part of the side since his first day in the league and has gathered 893 runs in 40 innings at a strike rate of 143.33.

Venkatesh Iyer is the front-runner for potential leadership candidate. The left-handed batter drilled 370 runs in 13 innings at an average of 46.25 and a strike rate of 158.79, shouldering on four half-centuries at the best score of 70. For the Kolkata Knight Riders, the Madhya Pradesh-born has clubbed 1326 runs at a strike rate of 137.12.

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KKR earned Ajinkya Rahane’s services during the recent mega auction at a base price. The Mumbai captain was part of the Knight Riders in 2022 and had a poor time with 133 runs in seven innings at a strike rate of 103.90. He could also be an experienced campaign to carry the side’s success in the new season.

Kolkata Knight Riders to begin IPL 2025 season on March 22

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will play the opening clash of the IPL 2025 against the Bengaluru side. They will then move to Guwahati for an away clash against the Rajasthan Royals. Their only clash against the Mumbai Indians for the upcoming season will be at the Wankhede on March 31.

Being in the same group as the Chennai Super Kings, there will be two encounters between the two teams. The first one will be at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on April 22 before they host the five-time champions on May 07.