All-rounder Venkatesh Iyer has opened up on being potentially appointed as KKR Captain for the IPL 2025. Having not captained in competitive cricket, the seam bowling all-rounder said he is ready to lead the defending champions if given the role this year.
The left-handed batter had joined the Kolkata Knight Riders in the second half of the IPL 2021 and played an integral role in making it to the finals that season.
He slammed 370 runs in 10 matches at an average of 41.11. He also scored 370 runs in last year’s 15 games averaging 46.25 where the side secured their third IPL title.
Speaking on the media, Venkatesh Iyer said that he hasn’t captained his domestic side Madhya Pradesh but his opinions are listened to.
“Definitely. Definitely, I’m ready. Again, I’ve always said this: captaincy is just a tag. I believe in leadership.”
“That is a bigger role to play, being a leader. You don’t necessarily need the tag of a captain to be a leader in your dressing room. You need to set examples. You need to be a good role model, both on and off the field, which I am doing right now in MP,” said Venkatesh Iyer.
“I’m not the captain of the MP team, but my opinions are respected and I really love to be in an atmosphere where every individual – again, new or experienced, 20 lakhs, 20 crore, whatever – you just need to have the freedom to voice your opinion.”
During IPL 2024 season, the side defeat SRH in the finals by eight wickets after bowling them out for 113 runs, where KKR chased the target down in 10.3 overs.
Shreyas Iyer who captained the KKR during 2024 season, wasn’t retained by the franchise. Punjab Kings bought him for INR 26.75 crore in the auction and will lead them in IPL 2025.
KKR will be in action on the first day of the 2025 season against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on March 22 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
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