Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders aim for back-to-back IPL titles under new leadership

The defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are gearing up for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season with a renewed sense of purpose under fresh leadership.

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In a recent press conference, new captain Ajinkya Rahane, mentor Dwayne Bravo, head coach Chandrakant Pandit, and vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer shared their thoughts on the upcoming season and the team's preparations. Rahane, who takes over as captain of the reigning champions, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity. "It's an honour for me to lead this wonderful franchise. I'm really thankful and grateful to the management for giving me this opportunity," Rahane said in a KKR press release.

The experienced batter acknowledged the challenge of defending the title but remained focused on the immediate future: "For me, it is always about keeping it simple... We will obviously give our best this season," Rahane added.

When asked about his batting position, Rahane emphasized a team-first mentality, "I have always played wherever the team wanted me to play. Team thinking has always come first."