The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captaincy has become a hot topic following the IPL 2025 auction. After securing the IPL 2024 title under Shreyas Iyer's leadership, KKR made a surprising move by releasing the India batter ahead of the new season. Post-auction, two prominent candidates have emerged for the captaincy role: Venkatesh Iyer and Ajinkya Rahane. While Rahane brings vast experience to the table, Venkatesh's massive Rs 23.75 crore price tag makes him a strong contender for the position.

Speaking on the captaincy dilemma, KKR CEO Venky Mysore provided some insight but indicated that a final decision is yet to be made. "Honestly, we need to take some time to evaluate and assess the situation." Sometimes, after everything is done, you just need to reflect and look at the whole picture. "Not all stakeholders and members of the think tank are present, so we’ll have a thorough discussion before arriving at a clear decision," Mysore said during an interview with the broadcasters.

Meanwhile, Venkatesh Iyer expressed his enthusiasm for taking on the captaincy role, stepping into Shreyas Iyer’s shoes. “I would be more than happy to accept the challenge of leading the team,” he said on Sunday. Reflecting on his leadership experience, Venkatesh added, “I had the opportunity to captain the side when Nitish Rana was injured, and I also served as the vice-captain. "I’ve always believed that captaincy is merely a title; true leadership lies in fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and motivated to contribute. If entrusted with the responsibility, I’m fully prepared to embrace it."

The Shah Rukh Khan-owned franchise made headlines by releasing Shreyas Iyer, their IPL 2024-winning captain, and entering an intense bidding war against Royal Challengers Bengaluru to secure Venkatesh Iyer. Venkatesh expressed his gratitude for being selected, saying, "Together, we’ll work to defend our championship and keep the winning momentum going." He added, "I'm truly thankful for being chosen to be part of the squad."