KKR named Ajinkya Rahane as captain in IPL 2025, even after investing ₹23.75 crore on star all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer.

In a recent interview with ANI, Iyer spoke highly of Rahane’s leadership, emphasising his vast experience in captaining both India and IPL franchises.

“So far, he has been an amazing leader of the group. He has taken the initiative to make conversations with all of us and try to gel with the team. We are talking about someone who has led India across formats and captained IPL teams before.”

“He has a great head on his shoulders, remains composed under pressure, and has been a stalwart of the game. He has scored runs everywhere. For me, it's going to be a great learning experience, and I am quite excited to play under him.”

As KKR’s newly appointed vice-captain, Iyer is embracing his role with confidence. While he hasn’t undergone any specific preparations, he believes his natural leadership instincts will help him excel.

“There is no specific preparation for it. I have always carried myself as a leader, so it's not entirely new to me. I have put in the hard yards in both batting and bowling. More than anything, it's about mindset—if you have accepted the role and are willing to take on the responsibility, half the job is already done.”

With a strong squad and a focused approach, Iyer is eager to make an impact and contribute beyond just his on-field performances.

Despite stepping into a leadership role, Iyer revealed that he hasn’t directly spoken to either Gautam Gambhir or last season’s captain, Shreyas Iyer, about the transition.

“I haven’t spoken to them directly about it. Last season, when I was with the team, they were around, but I have always believed that I can contribute as a leader beyond just batting and bowling. The management has trusted me with the role, and I hope to do justice to it.”

With IPL 2025 approaching, Iyer is fully committed to his new responsibility, eager to learn from Rahane while carving out his own leadership identity within the franchise.