Ajinkya Rahane’s journey in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been a rollercoaster, marked by setbacks, resurgence, and a surprising return to leadership with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for IPL 2025. This note explores Ajinkya Rahane‘s path from being benched in 2022 to becoming KKR’s captain, his performances with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2023 and 2024, his leadership experience, his fit in KKR’s batting lineup, the team’s squad, and their chances in the upcoming season, starting today, March 22, 2025.
Ajinkya Rahane’s unbelievable comeback
Ajinkya Rahane’s IPL 2022 stint with KKR was challenging. He played 7 matches, scoring 133 runs at a strike rate of 103.90, leading to his mid-season benching, a low point in his T20 career. This contrasted sharply with his reputation as a reliable batsman and leader in domestic and international cricket.
However, his fortunes changed when he joined CSK for IPL 2023, bought at his base price of INR 50 lakh. Batting at number 3, he scored 326 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 172.49, including two fifties, proving instrumental in CSK’s fifth IPL title win against Gujarat Titans (GT). His aggressive yet composed innings, especially in the finals, earned him a recall to the Indian Test team for the World Test Championship final against Australia, highlighting his resurgence.
In IPL 2024, Rahane’s form dipped, scoring 199 runs at an average of 22.11 and a strike rate of 122.84, which was below par for a top-order batsman. This dip was noted as hurting CSK, particularly in setting up a good platform, but his experience and leadership remained valuable, as seen in his continued presence in the team.
Leadership Experience: A Strategic Asset for KKR
Rahane’s appointment as KKR captain for IPL 2025, announced in March 2025, leverages his extensive leadership experience. He has captained Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy, leading them to a record-extending 42nd title in early 2024, scoring runs for fun and demonstrating tactical acumen.
On the international stage, he led India in Test cricket, with the team losing only one match under his captaincy, notably winning the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. This experience, combined with his calm demeanor, is expected to benefit KKR, especially in managing a squad with a mix of veterans and young talents.
Fit in KKR’s Batting Lineup and Squad Composition
KKR squad: Ajinkya Rahane (captain), Venkatesh Iyer (vice-captain), Quinton de Kock (wk), Rovman Powell (wk), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Luvnith Sisodia (wk), Manish Pandey, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Ramandeep Singh, Rinku Singh, Moeen Ali, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Anukul Roy, Vaibhav Arora, Spencer Johnson, Mayank Markande, Anrich Nortje, Umran Malik, Varun Chakravarthy.
In IPL 2025, Rahane is expected to bat at number 3 in KKR’s lineup, providing stability between the aggressive openers—likely Sunil Narine and Quinton de Kock—and the middle-order power hitters like Venkatesh Iyer and Andre Russell. This role allows him to rotate the strike and accelerate when needed, enhancing KKR’s batting depth.
KKR’s Chances in IPL 2025: A Balanced Contender
As the defending champions, KKR enters IPL 2025 with high expectations, starting their campaign today against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens. Their squad boasts an explosive batting lineup, with Narine’s form at the top, Russell’s all-round abilities, and Rinku Singh’s finishing prowess.
The spin attack, led by Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarty, was the best in IPL 2024, taking 38 wickets at an average of 23.18, giving them a significant edge. However, the pace bowling department, with relatively inexperienced options like Harshit Rana and Vaibhav Arora, and Anrich Nortje returning from injury, could be a vulnerability, especially on fast tracks.
Expert analysis, suggests KKR are a strong contender for the title, with their continuity strategy and Rahane’s leadership seen as key factors. The absence of former captain Shreyas Iyer, bought by Punjab Kings for INR 26.75 crore, is a notable change, but KKR’s focus on retaining core players and adding international experience, like Moeen Ali and Rovman Powell, positions them well. The challenge lies in managing the playing XI, particularly deciding between experienced batters like Pandey and Rahane, and ensuring their pace bowling holds up under pressure.
Rahane’s form and ability to slot into the number 3 position, combined with his leadership, will be crucial. If he can rediscover his 2023 rhythm, as seen in his 326-run season with CSK, and guide the team effectively, KKR could defend their title, adding to their legacy. However, the inexperience in pace bowling remains a potential Achilles’ heel, making their campaign a fascinating watch as IPL 2025 unfolds.
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