Venkatesh Iyer To Captain KKR? Report Reveals Staggering Greed Before IPL 2025

In less than a month to go before the start of the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) is yet to announce their captain, but Venkatesh Iyer’s name has moved around the circuit mostly, while Ajinkya Rahane could also be a potential option for the leadership department.

The defending champions are without their winning captain, Shreyas Iyer, who has signed with the Punjab Kings for the new season to become their leader of the upcoming edition. Kolkata will also miss their mentor, Gautam Gambhir, who became India’s head coach after the end of the last season.

“Captaincy is just a tag and I believe in leadership”- Venkatesh Iyer

KKR has yet to make their new leader public, but buying back Venkatesh Iyer for a price of INR 23.75 crore was a clear sign from the management. Even though the Madhya Pradesh all-rounder never led a side in competitive crocket, he is eager for the role.

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“I'm ready. Again, I've always said this: captaincy is just a tag. I believe in leadership. That is a bigger role to play, being a leader. You don't necessarily need the tag of a captain to be a leader in your dressing room.” The 30-year-old expressed in a recent interaction on ESPNcricinfo.

“You need to set examples and need to be a good role model, both on and off the field, which I am doing right now in MP. I'm not the captain of the MP team, but my opinions are respected, and I love to be in an atmosphere where every individual - again, new or experienced, 20 lakhs, 20 crore, whatever - you just need to have the freedom to voice your opinion.” The Indian all-rounder claimed.

In the previous season of the 20-over tournament, Venkatesh smashed 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.

Venkatesh Iyer is happy with KKR not bothering players in the domestic season.

In the overall four seasons of his IPL career, Venkatesh Iyer has drilled 1326 runs in 49 innings at an average of 31.57 and a strike rate of 137.12, thanks to 11 half-centuries and one century at the best score of 104 runs.

In his debut season (IPL 2021), Iyer recovered the Knight Riders’ fortune dramatically to help them win seven of the nine games to make the final of the last season. He got a promotion to number three last year and chipped in with the ball when needed.

“I've always wanted to be that person. And if captaincy comes my way, I would want to do it. There's no ambiguity surrounding this. I'll do it if it comes my way. There is no reason not to do it.” Venkatesh Iyer addressed.

Iyer was among several KKR players featuring in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024 season in November, as their side faced Mumbai in the final at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, but couldn’t cross the huddle.

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“It's good that they're giving players their space and letting them focus on domestic cricket. Whenever it comes, we'll see about it.” Venkatesh Iyer was delighted that the franchise didn’t disturb the players in the domestic season.

Kolkata Knight Riders to start IPL 2025 campaign on this date

The KKR franchise will play the opening game of the IPL 2025 on March 22, the very first day of the tournament, against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Their first away fixture in the competition will be on March 26 against the Rajasthan Royals at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati.