NEW DELHI: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the third most successful side with three titles, have seen several captains lead the franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since its inception in 2008.
With Ajinkya Rahane appointed as captain for the upcoming season and Venkatesh Iyer as vice-captain on Monday, here we take a look at the journey of KKR captains over the years.
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Sourav Ganguly (2008 & 2010): KKR’s first captain, Sourav Ganguly, led the team in 27 matches in the 2008 and 2010 editions, winning 13 games and losing the remaining 14. Despite his aggressive leadership, KKR struggled in the early years.
Brendon McCullum (2009): McCullum, who famously scored 158 not out in the first-ever IPL match, took over as captain in 2009 but had a tough season, winning just 3 out of 13 games.
Gautam Gambhir (2011-2017): KKR’s most successful captain, Gambhir transformed the franchise, leading them to two IPL titles (2012, 2014). With 69 wins in 122 matches, his leadership set a benchmark.
Jacques Kallis (2011): Kallis briefly captained KKR for two matches, winning one and losing one, before Gambhir took over.
Dinesh Karthik (2018-2020): Karthik led KKR for three seasons, winning 19 out of 37 games, before stepping down midway through the 2020 season.
Eoin Morgan (2020-2021): Morgan replaced Karthik and guided KKR to the 2021 final, winning 11 out of 24 games.
Shreyas Iyer (2022 & 2024): Iyer’s captaincy saw a 58.62% win rate, but injuries hampered his stint. He led KKR in 29 matches, winning 17 games and their third IPL title last year.
Nitish Rana (2023): In Iyer’s absence, Rana stepped in as captain in 2023, winning six out of 14 matches before Iyer’s return.
With Rahane now at the helm, KKR fans hope for continued success in the upcoming IPL 2025.
