Defending Champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) won their third IPL title in 2024. KKR produced an absolute stellar season with nine wins, three losses, and two washouts. They defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 1 and then clinched the final against the same SRH team, with Sunil Narine playing a pivotal role throughout the season.
Coming into this season, KKR has appointed Ajinkya Rahane as the new captain, replacing Shreyas Iyer. While buying some great players in the auction. Quinton de Kock has joined to fill the gap left by English wicket-keeper batter Phil Salt who moves to the rival RCB in the mega auction. The overseas depth of the teams has also been strengthened with the inclusion of Moeen Ali, Spencer Johnson and Anrich Nortje.
KKR also have bought Indian talent in experienced Manish Pandey, Karnataka’s talented young batter Luvnith Sisodia and pacer battery Umran Malik. However Malik is now ruled out of the tournament due to an unspecified injury and is replaced by Chetan Sakariya. Mayank Markande will fill the gap of Suyash Sharma as an prime leg spinner to club with Varun Chakravarthy.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Squad IPL 2025
Ajinkya Rahane(c), Rinku Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Harshit Rana, Ramandeep Singh, Venkatesh Iyer, Quinton de Kock, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Anrich Nortje, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Vaibhav Arora, Mayank Markande, Rovman Powell, Manish Pandey, Spencer Johnson, Luvnith Sisodia, Anukul Roy, Moeen Ali, Chetan Sakariya (Umran Malik’s replacement)
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Strongest Playing XI – IPL 2025
Sunil Narine*, Quinton de Kock* (wk)/ Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell*, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Anrich Nortje*/Spencer Johnson*, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakravarthy
*denotes overseas player
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Strongest Playing XI IPL 2025
Top Order – Sunil Narine, Quinton de Kock/ Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Despite an outstanding IPL 2024, Narine’s batting has struggled since June 2024 and he is not doing well in the T20s all around the world, averaging just 9.05 in 20 innings. KKR must decide whether they will keep Narine as the opener or will they opt for an Indian opener in Ajinkya Rahane or Luvnith Sisodia. To partner Sunil Narine, any one of Quinton de Kock or Rahmanullah Gurbaz will be a good option for them.
Middle Order – Ajinkya Rahane (c), Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh
Kolkata Knight Riders will have depth in their middle order this season with the experience of Ajinkya Rahane and Venkatesh Iyer coming at number three and four. Both Rahane and Iyer have vast experience in the IPL with over 5500 runs between them. Rinku Singh is a glue to hold the middle order with lower order and he can play at a number of positions but his finishing will be key for KKR in IPL 2025. To finish things off Andre Russell and Ramandeep Singh will bring their hitting capabilities in game.
Bowlers – Harshit Rana, Anrich Nortje*/Spencer Johnson*, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakravarthy
Harshit Rana and Varun Chakravarthy will be the regular starters for KKR in IPL 2025 with their team fixed in the team, KKR will have to choose another Indian fast bowler to play which is most likely be Vaibhav Arora who will work as an impact player for KKR just like the IPL 2024 season. Vaibhav Arora is a quality swing bowler who will bowl in powerplay to give his team early wickets. KKR must choose between Spencer Johnson, who offers variety and control, and Anrich Nortje, who provides express pace but is returning from injury.
Impact Player Options
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi – Young batter who impressed in IPL 2024 with his crisp shot making and quick starts.
- Chetan Sakariya – Injury replacement for Umran Malik but an exceptional death bowler with quality change of pace variations.
- Mayank Markande – Leg-spinner who will be included in the team on slow pitches and he will join Varun to add more spin power to the team.
- Manish Pandey – Experienced middle-order batter who can be included in the team if the team collapses in the early half of the game.
KKR will enter IPL 2025 with a strong squad and will aim to defend the title. Their biggest challenges will be managing the form of key players like Narine and Russell and making the right overseas picks. If they get their combinations right, they could be serious contenders to defend their title.
