IPL 2025: KKR aim for back-to-back titles under new leadership

The defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are gearing up for the IPL 2025 season with a renewed sense of goal beneath recent management. In a current press convention, new captain Ajinkya Rahane, mentor Dwayne Bravo, head coach Chandrakant Pandit, and vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer shared their ideas on the upcoming season and the group’s preparations.

Rahane, who takes over as captain of the reigning champions, expressed his gratitude for the chance. „It is an honour for me to steer this glorious franchise. I am actually grateful and grateful to the administration for giving me this chance,“ mentioned Rahane.

The skilled batter acknowledged the problem of defending the title however remained centered on the fast future: „For me it’s all the time about preserving it easy… We’ll clearly give our greatest this season.“

When requested about his batting place, Rahane emphasised a team-first mentality, „I’ve all the time performed wherever the group needed me to play. Group considering has all the time come first.“

Mentor Dwayne Bravo outlined his method to persevering with the group’s success, „It might be disrespectful of me to attempt to change among the good issues from the final season,“ Bravo defined.

Additionally Learn: Dwayne Bravo seeks ex-KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir’s assist forward of IPL 2025

He additionally expressed his enthusiasm about working with group proprietor Shah Rukh Khan: „It is good to have a boss like Shah Rukh who is unquestionably actually invested within the sport… That power and that vibe, I’ll attempt to convey that right here as effectively.“

Vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer, who commanded a big value on the public sale, was enthusiastic about working with Bravo. „He is been essentially the most profitable T20 participant in historical past, so he brings a whole lot of expertise to the desk,“ mentioned Iyer. „Nothing can beat expertise. He is performed so many video games; he is gained so many video games for West Indies and the franchises that he is performed for.“

When questioned about dealing with the strain of his price ticket, Iyer took a practical method, „It exists. You’ll be able to’t ignore it altogether, however when the IPL begins, it actually would not matter. You are part of a enjoying XI, part of a group that’s going on the market to win.“

Head coach Chandrakant Pandit, who has labored with Rahane beforehand, spoke concerning the group’s preparation for his or her opening match in opposition to Royal Challengers Bengaluru on March 22. „Each match is completely different, and we now have been making ready because the Mumbai camp and now we now have began the camp right here as effectively… we’re going to play as laborious as attainable.“

Relating to the group composition, Pandit highlighted the arrogance gained from worldwide expertise, „The benefit that we will get is the arrogance degree that they are going to carry from the worldwide degree to KKR.“

The group is wanting ahead to enjoying at their house floor, with Rahane noting: „It is good to be again at Eden Gardens and we all the time like to play at Eden Gardens. The environment, the power, the fervour which all of the followers have.“

With a powerful core of retained gamers, skilled management, and the backing of passionate followers at Eden Gardens, KKR seems well-positioned to defend their title within the upcoming IPL 2025 season.

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