A New Leadership Contender for KKR?
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are yet to announce their captain for IPL 2025, and all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer has stepped forward, expressing his readiness to take on the leadership role. Despite having no prior captaincy experience at any competitive level, Iyer believes leadership is more than just a title.
“Captaincy is Just a Tag, Leadership Matters More”
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Iyer emphasized that being a leader goes beyond holding the captain’s title. “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,” he stated confidently.
The left-handed all-rounder further asserted that if given the chance, he would embrace the responsibility without hesitation. “There is no ambiguity surrounding this. I’ll definitely do it if it comes my way. There is no reason not to do it,” he added.
Leading by Example: The Key to Leadership
Iyer also stressed the importance of leading by example, both on and off the field. “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,” he said.
Currently playing for Madhya Pradesh in domestic cricket, Iyer highlighted how his views and suggestions are respected in the team despite not holding a formal leadership position. “I’m not the captain of the MP team, but my opinions are respected. I love being in an atmosphere where every individual, whether a Rs 20 lakh or Rs 20 crore player, has the freedom to voice their opinions,” he explained.
KKR’s Captaincy Dilemma After Shreyas Iyer’s Departure
KKR, the defending IPL champions, will open their campaign against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens. However, they are yet to appoint a new captain after Shreyas Iyer’s exit. Shreyas, who led the team to victory in IPL 2024, was acquired by Punjab Kings in the mega auction and was later named their captain.
With no clear frontrunner for the leadership role, Venkatesh Iyer’s willingness to step up could make him a strong contender.
Venkatesh Iyer’s Journey with KKR
Iyer, who first joined KKR in 2021, was released ahead of the 2024 auction but made a dramatic return after the franchise repurchased him for a massive Rs 23.75 crore following an intense bidding war with RCB.
So far, the dynamic left-hander has accumulated 1,326 runs in 51 IPL matches, all for the Knight Riders. As he continues to evolve as a player, he now aims to make an impact as a leader if given the opportunity.
With IPL 2025 approaching, all eyes are on KKR’s management as they decide who will lead the franchise in their title defense. Will Venkatesh Iyer get the chance to captain, or will KKR opt for a more experienced leader? The decision remains to be seen.(online casino)