- May 25, 2025
With the dust finally settling on the IPL faceoff with Sunrisers Hyderabad, KKR fans are left with one burning question: Should Ajinkya Rahane be the squad captain going forward? It’s a thought that is starting to take a foothold among the fanbase, and quite frankly, it’s not a simple issue; it isn’t just black or white. KKR had an up-and-down, missed opportunity 2025 season, with only a few flashes of brilliance along the way. But just as the franchise looks to restart in 2026, the vocal captaincy issue looms large – and fast. So, let’s chew through this issue, KKR fans, and try to see where Rahane stands.
The Rahane Dilemma: Leader, Placeholder, or Both?
Let’s be honest — Ajinkya Rahane had no business being part of KKR’s leadership plans when the auction for 2025 was completed. He was an afterthought. But then chaos met necessity, and Rahane was the gentleman cricketer who was given the captaincy. For his credit, he took chaos to calm. His leadership was calm, measured, and respected by all in the dressing room. But is that enough?
That’s the difficult part – Rahane hasn’t been opening the batting, which is where he is most influential. He has been batting No. 3, a position where KKR needs an aggressive batter who will bring energy to the powerplay. Rahane is a classy player but isn’t quite the player KKR need for firm, established momentum. Finally, if Rahane is going to remain captain, they need to build the batting unit around him, otherwise, we risk the same top-order stagnation we struggled with the entire season.
Captaincy Crisis: No Clear Successor in Sight
So, if Rahane is not the answer, then who?
This is where it gets tricky. KKR doesn’t have any Indian roster players, but they are all saying “the next-gen captain.” Most of the players with big futures — Rinku Singh, Venkatesh Iyer, Harshit Rana — are scary unknowns, just coming into their own or too young to manage the team. Handing over the captaincy to an uncapped or fringe Indian player seems like a way to self-destruct, particularly when you already have the core of your team in a delicate place. What is next for Kolkata Knight Riders?
Choosing an overseas captain? The pre-planning has to be done at auction – you would need a David Miller or you might want to even consider someone a little out there, like Glenn Phillips – experienced, tactically savvy, and able to command authority. But these are just hypotheticals. And let’s face it, putting the entire leadership future of the franchise on a foreign choice is risky, especially in the IPL, where versatility and balance can become an issue.
The Bigger Picture: Beyond Just the Captain
Captaincy is the main issue, but KKR’s bigger issue is adaptability. They are still operating in templates from seasons past. Sunil Narine opening the batting was fun… and now you’re just squeezing the end of the toothpaste tube.
Phil Salt left a hole that they still have not filled. Quinton de Kock and Rahmanullah Gurbaz have not scored runs at the top. And without a real Indian wicketkeeper-batter to see the game out or play the middle overs, KKR’s batting order is a lot less structured than you expect it to be.
If KKR wants to keep Rahane, they need to embrace a rebuild. He can be your opener. You can now find an explosive middle-order with Russell and Rinku. You can look for a smart Indian wicketkeeper-finisher in the domestic setup — perhaps it will change the entire season. Think of a player like Dhruv Jurel. The model is there. KKR just needs to be clear and stop being timid and committed.
What do you think – should KKR fully commit to Rahane’s leadership or take a chance and explore alternatives? Drop your comments below!
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