Credit: BCCI/X
Ajinkya Rahane has been appointed as the captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the upcoming 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. And with this he is set to create history by becoming the first and only Indian player to captain three different franchises in the IPL. Rahane has previously been the captain of the Rajasthan Royals team in the 2018 season and also for some parts of the 2019 season as well. Under his captaincy in 2018, RR managed to reach the playoffs but was knocked out in the Eliminator match. Before this, Rahane also had a short captaincy stint with Rising Pune Supergiants.
In 2017, Ajinkya Rahane was the captain of the Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) for a few matches when their regular captain Steve Smith was not available. The 36 year-old batter was picked up by the Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 1.50 crore in the IPL 2025 mega-auction. The Kolkata franchise’s management considered various candidates for the captaincy role. While Venkatesh Iyer was a potential option, the franchise opted for Rahane due to his extensive experience, aiming to alleviate the pressures of leadership from younger players.
Ajinkya Rahane holds good past record in the IPL
Ajinkya Rahane's appointment as skipper is anticipated to bring stability and seasoned leadership to KKR, as the defending champions aspire for a successful campaign in the 2025 IPL season.
Rahane has a good batting record in the IPL as well. In his stint with RR, Rahane was instrumental for the Royals, accumulating 2,810 runs, making him one of the franchise's top run-scorers. Notably, he scored 560 runs in the 2012 season, showcasing his consistency at the top order.
In the 2020 season, Rahane transitioned to the Delhi Capitals. However, he faced challenges, managing 113 runs across nine matches with an average of 14. Rahane experienced a resurgence with CSK, adapting his batting style to align with the team's aggressive approach. His performances were pivotal in CSK's strategies and success during these seasons.
