Because the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 approaches, hypothesis concerning the captaincy of the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), continues to construct. Following the departure of Shreyas Iyer, who has taken on the management position at Punjab Kings (PBKS), KKR are but to announce their new captain. Amidst this uncertainty, Venkatesh Iyer, the gifted all-rounder, has emerged as a robust contender for the place.
Venkatesh Iyer’s cricketing expertise
Venkatesh Iyer joined KKR in 2021 and has since turn out to be an integral a part of the group, scoring 1,326 runs in 51 matches. His spectacular efficiency and dedication to the franchise have been highlighted when KKR purchased him again for a whopping quantity of INR 23.75 crore within the current public sale. Regardless of having no prior expertise in aggressive cricket captaincy, Iyer’s enthusiasm and management qualities have made him a prime candidate for the position, alongside former India captain Ajinkya Rahane.
Is Iyer prepared to guide KKR?
When requested about his readiness to captain KKR, Iyer was unequivocal. “Definitely, I’m prepared,” he acknowledged in a chat with ESPNcricinfo.
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The 30-year-old emphasised that captaincy is merely a tag and that true management entails setting examples and being a very good position mannequin each on and off the sector. He famous that one doesn’t essentially want the title of captain to be a pacesetter within the dressing room, highlighting his present position in Madhya Pradesh, the place his opinions are revered regardless of not holding the captaincy place.
“I imagine in management. That could be a greater position to play, being a pacesetter. You don’t essentially want the tag of a captain to be a pacesetter in your dressing room. It is advisable to set examples. It is advisable to be a very good position mannequin, each on and off the sector, which I’m doing proper now in MP,” Iyer defined.
The Knight Riders will sq. off in opposition to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) within the opening match of IPL 2025 on March 22 at Eden Gardens. With lower than a month to go earlier than the match begins, the announcement of a brand new captain is eagerly anticipated.