India and Madhya Pradesh allrounder Venkatesh Iyer has expressed his readiness to captain Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2025 if given the opportunity. The defending champions, set to open the tournament on March 22 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), have yet to announce their new captain after releasing Shreyas Iyer, who has joined Punjab Kings (PBKS) as skipper.
Iyer, bought back by KKR for a record INR 23.75 crore (US$2.83 million approx.), is among the leading contenders alongside Ajinkya Rahane. Despite having no prior experience as captain in competitive cricket, the 30-year-old is eager for the challenge. He emphasized that leadership extends beyond just holding the title, stating, “Captaincy is just a tag; leadership is more important.”
Since making his IPL debut in 2021, Iyer has played a crucial role for KKR. His performances in 2021 helped turn around the team’s campaign, guiding them to the final after a poor start. Over the years, his role has evolved, moving from an opener to a middle-order batter while also contributing with the ball. In 51 matches, he has scored 1326 runs at a strike rate of 137.
KKR has yet to announce a captain, possibly due to the ongoing domestic season. Iyer acknowledged the franchise’s decision to allow players to focus on domestic cricket, saying, “It’s good that they’re giving players their space.”
The full interview with Iyer will be released ahead of IPL 2025.
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