Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Delhi Capitals remain undecided on their leadership for IPL Will KKR place their trust in a homegrown talent like Iyer, or will they opt for a seasoned international player? Will Delhi spring a surprise after keeping their plans under wraps?
Dubai: With less than a month to go until IPL 2025, most teams have confirmed their captains and are finalizing preparations for the new season. However, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Delhi Capitals remain undecided on their leadership, keeping fans in suspense as the season opener on March 22 at Eden Gardens approaches.
Last season, Shreyas Iyer led KKR while Rishabh Pant captained Delhi. However, neither was retained by their respective franchises. Pant has since taken charge of Lucknow Super Giants, replacing KL Rahul, who also departed from his previous role. With these shifts, KKR and Delhi now face the crucial decision of appointing their new captains.
Delhi Capitals Keeping Options Open
Delhi Capitals’ head coach Hemang Badani, fresh off leading Dubai Capitals to their first DP World ILT20 title, has remained tight-lipped about the team’s captaincy plans. Speculation continues as Delhi keeps its cards close to its chest, with no clear front-runner emerging yet.
Venkatesh Iyer Among KKR’s Top Contenders
KKR, on the other hand, has a few strong candidates for the leadership role. All-rounder Venkatesh Iyer, who was repurchased for a staggering Rs 237.5 million during the auction, is a prime contender. Alongside him, experienced players such as former India captain Ajinkya Rahane, South African wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock, and KKR stalwarts Andre Russell and Sunil Narine are also in the mix.
Iyer, however, has expressed confidence in taking up the responsibility. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, he said, “Definitely. I’m ready. But I believe leadership is bigger than just the captaincy tag. You don’t need the title to be a leader in the dressing room.”
Time Running Out for Leadership Announcements
With IPL 2025 fast approaching, KKR and Delhi must make their leadership decisions soon. Will KKR place their trust in a homegrown talent like Iyer, or will they opt for a seasoned international player? Will Delhi spring a surprise after keeping their plans under wraps?
The clock is ticking, and fans eagerly await the final announcements. As the anticipation builds, both franchises must act swiftly to ensure their teams are ready to hit the ground running when IPL 2025 kicks off.
