Follow UsAhead of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, three-time winners Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) appointed veteran Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane as their skipper. Rahane brings a lot of experience to the franchise, having led Mumbai to a Ranji Trophy title last season and also playing an important role in the 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy win.
Not only will Rahane get to work alongside one of the best Indian coaches, Chandrakant Pandit, but he will also have the opportunity to work alongside Dwayne Bravo, who has abundant franchise cricket experience.
“It is really exciting to work with him [Bravo]," Rahane, KKR's new captain, told in a press conference.
"Obviously, he's been the [second] most capped T20 player in history, so he brings a lot of experience to the table. He's a hard-working tactician of what I've heard of him. I've always seen him go around the boundary line, and [he] keeps talking to the bowlers. So I'm really excited to play under him,” he added.
Rahane insisted that ‘nothing can beat experience’, stating that he will get to learn a lot from the 41-year-old all-rounder.
"And see, nothing can beat experience. He's played so many games, [and] he's won so many games for West Indies and the franchises that he's played for. So, obviously, for us, working with him, I expect that I'll get to learn a lot with him both individually as well as in a team."
The Mumbaikar also praised Madhya Pradesh all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer, stating that he deserves the INR 23.75 crore contract he received.
"I have always played wherever the team wanted me to play throughout my career, and that's been my thinking," Rahane said. "Always team comes first. Still, for the first game, we have eight days to go, and we need to have more conversations with the coach and mentor. But whatever the team wants, I will always give my best on that particular number."
"At the same time, I do want to tell you all that Venkatesh deserves that price. People are talking about all these things, but he has done well for this franchise on a number of occasions. So I think he has deserved that price."
