Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) enter IPL 2025 as defending champions after a dominant title-winning campaign under Shreyas Iyer in 2024, where they crushed Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets in the final. However, KKR now faces a major transition as they lose their championship-winning skipper, and veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane returns to lead the side after a successful two-year stint at Chennai Super Kings (CSK), where he added another IPL title to his name.
Despite this leadership change, the core of the KKR squad remains largely intact, with only a few key departures. The team still possesses a potent mix of power-hitters, all-rounders, and lethal bowlers. Let’s take a look at their predicted playing XI for IPL 2025.
1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK)
KKR’s overseas wicketkeeper and aggressive opener, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, is expected to fill the shoes of Phil Salt, who played this role last season. The Afghan batter has been with KKR since 2023 and will now be responsible for providing explosive starts at the top. With 289 runs in 13 IPL matches, including two half-centuries at a strike rate of 133, Gurbaz can potentially be a game-changer in the powerplay.
2. Sunil Narine
A revelation as an opener last season, Sunil Narine was KKR’s most impactful player in IPL 2024. The Caribbean all-rounder amassed 488 runs in 14 matches, smashing three fifties and a century. Alongside his batting exploits, Narine remained lethal with the ball, claiming 17 wickets, further cementing his reputation as one of the best all-rounders in the tournament. With a staggering 180 IPL wickets and 1,534 runs in 177 matches, Narine remains KKR’s X-factor.
3. Ajinkya Rahane (C)
The newly appointed skipper, Ajinkya Rahane, returns to KKR after proving his worth at CSK, where he reinvented his T20 game. With 4,642 runs in 185 IPL matches, including 30 half-centuries and two centuries, Rahane brings leadership and stability to KKR’s top order. His strike rate soared to nearly 150 during his two-season stint at CSK, where he accumulated 527 runs, showing he can adapt to the modern, aggressive T20 approach.
4. Venkatesh Iyer
Venkatesh Iyer’s IPL career has been synonymous with KKR’s success. The franchise broke the bank for him in the 2022 mega auction, acquiring him for ₹23.75 crores, and he justified the investment by playing a key role in their 2024 triumph. With 1,326 runs in 50 matches at a strike rate of 140, including 11 fifties and a century, Iyer is a proven match-winner in the middle order.
5. Rinku Singh
KKR’s designated finisher, Rinku Singh, has established himself as one of the most reliable lower-order batters in the IPL. With 893 runs in 45 matches, including four fifties at a strike rate above 140, Rinku will play an even bigger role in IPL 2025, given the absence of Shreyas Iyer. His ability to close out games under pressure makes him indispensable to the team’s setup.
6. Andre Russell
A KKR legend, Andre Russell continues to be the heart and soul of the team. With 2,484 runs at an explosive strike rate of 175, including 11 fifties, along with 115 wickets in 127 matches, Russell’s presence alone elevates KKR’s chances. His all-round abilities and experience make him one of the most valuable players in the IPL.
7. Ramandeep Singh
The lower-order dasher and an exceptional fielder, Ramandeep Singh, played a crucial role in KKR’s 2024 triumph. Although he only managed 125 runs in 14 matches last season, his strike rate of over 200 made his cameos invaluable. He will continue to provide the late-innings acceleration for KKR in 2025.
8. Spencer Johnson
Australian left-arm pacer Spencer Johnson has been making waves in white-ball cricket. Having played just five IPL matches, he has taken four wickets, but his recent performances in the Champions Trophy, where he picked up two wickets in two games, highlight his growing potential. He will be an important asset in KKR’s bowling attack.
9. Varun Chakravarthy
The mystery spinner, Varun Chakravarthy, remains a key bowler for KKR. He was instrumental in India’s Champions Trophy triumph, taking nine wickets in just three matches. In the IPL, he has scalped 83 wickets in 71 games at an economy of under 8, making him one of the most consistent spinners in the league.
10. Harshit Rana
Harshit Rana has emerged as KKR’s frontline Indian pacer. Often compared to Shivam Dube, he made headlines when he replaced Dube as a concussion substitute and picked up three wickets in an international match. With 25 wickets in 21 IPL matches, including 19 in 13 games last season, Rana will spearhead the pace attack for KKR in IPL 2025.
11. Vaibhav Arora
Vaibhav Arora completes KKR’s bowling unit with his effective swing bowling. With 19 wickets in 20 IPL matches, he provides control in the powerplay and at the death. He will be expected to complement Harshit Rana and Spencer Johnson in the fast-bowling department.
Impact Players
Since IPL allows impact players, KKR is likely to rotate their 12th man based on match conditions:
12. Chetan Sakariya (while defending a total)
Chetan Sakariya, once India’s most promising fast bowler, has struggled with consistency. He will be used as an extra bowler when KKR sets a target.
12. Manish Pandey (while chasing)
A league veteran, Manish Pandey provides stability in case of an early collapse. With 3,850 runs in 171 IPL matches, including 22 fifties and a century, he can anchor a chase if needed.
KKR may have lost their leader in Shreyas Iyer, but with Ajinkya Rahane at the helm and a squad brimming with experience and match-winners, they remain strong contenders for IPL 2025. With a mix of aggressive batters, all-rounders, and a potent bowling attack, KKR looks well-equipped to defend their title. The team’s strategy will revolve around explosive starts, a solid middle order, and a well-rounded bowling unit capable of dismantling any opposition. As the season unfolds, seeing how Rahane leads this star-studded squad in their quest for back-to-back titles will be fascinating.