Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) had a good auction where they managed to buy back some of their key players from the championship-winning team as well as adding new talent to their squad.

The three-time IPL winners brought back Venkatesh Iyer, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Vaibhav Arora and Manish Pandey from last season, while adding adequate firepower in other departments.

However, with the departure of previous captain Shreyas Iyer, who has now joined Punjab Kings (PBKS) for the upcoming season, there remains a pressing question surrounding the KKR captaincy.

In this article, we take a look at three players who can probably become KKR’s next leader.

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Venkatesh Iyer

Venkatesh Iyer is reportedly the favorite for KKR captaincy in IPL 2025. KKR bought the dynamic all-rounder for a record fee of INR 23.75 crore on Day 1 of the IPL 2025 auction. In fact, she was the third highest buy at the event in Jeddah after Rishabh Pant (27 crores, LSG) and Shreyas Iyer (26.75 crores, PBKS).

While the high price tag surprised many, it can be expected that the franchise has restored faith in Iyer for his contributions in the past and now wants him to take on more responsibilities. Notably, Venkatesh Iyer earlier led the KKR team, albeit briefly, in the absence of Nitish Rana when he was out due to injury. In addition, Venkatesh Iyer himself has shown himself willing to lead the team after his purchase at auction.

Rinku Singh

Rinku Singh could be another potential candidate to captain KKR in IPL 2025. The left-handed batsman has been a part of the franchise since the 2018 season, showing consistency and dedication. Over the years, he has grown in stature and become one of KKR’s best finishers, who could carry the team over the finish line in difficult circumstances.

Rinku has demonstrated the ability to remain calm under pressure, demonstrating her resilience in challenging situations. Having also represented India in limited overs cricket, he has gained valuable experience competing at the highest level. The Knight Riders could risk entrusting Rinku with the leadership role, trusting in her skills and composure.

Ajinkya Rahane

KKR went ahead and smartly bought Ajinkya Rahane at the end of the auction for a bargain price of INR 1.5 crore. While Rahane will provide the team with much-needed experience in the batting department, another vital reason why KKR opted for the experienced player is that they could consider him for the team’s captaincy in IPL 2025.

One can only hope that the former Indian vice-captain is the ideal candidate to replace Shreyas Iyer as the team’s next leader, given his experience. The stylish right-hander was also part of the KKR setup during the IPL 2022 season and is familiar with the team’s philosophy and management.

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