IPL 2025: 3 KKR Players Who Did Well In SMAT 2024

Akshita Patel

KKR stars had a good run in the SMAT 2024 season [Source: @ajinkyarahane88, @CricCrazyJohns/X.com]KKR stars had a good run in the SMAT 2024 season [Source: @ajinkyarahane88, @CricCrazyJohns/X.com]

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The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024 season concluded with Mumbai crowned champion by winning the finals of the prestigious T20 domestic tournament against Madhya Pradesh. While most players dominated the play with the bat, a couple of big names from KKR stole all the attention.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the defending IPL champions, built a solid and balanced team at the IPL 2025 mega auction. With captain Shreyas Iyer parting ways, the Knight Riders bought Venkatesh Iyer for a record prize and mostly retained the core unit from the previous season. 

Meanwhile, here are three such KKR players who had a successful SMAT 2024 season.

3. Venkatesh Iyer

Venkatesh Iyer, KKR [Source: @KKRUltras/X.com]Venkatesh Iyer, KKR [Source: @KKRUltras/X.com]

A probable captaincy candidate, Venkatesh Iyer, was bought back by KKR for a whopping price of INR 23.75 crores. After spending several seasons with KKR, the all-rounder managed to earn back the franchise’s trust. Meanwhile, in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024 season, Iyer slammed 227 runs in 9 games with an average of 56.75 with a strike rate of 163.31. 

Moreover, his dual strike in the semi-finals against Delhi helped Madhya Pradesh advance to the finals. Hence, his all-round form is an encouraging sign for KKR as Iyer is set to embrace a bigger role in the coming IPL season.

2. Rinku Singh

Rinku Singh, KKR [Source: @niiravmodi/X.com]Rinku Singh, KKR [Source: @niiravmodi/X.com]

KKR’s first retention, Rinku Singh, had a successful season in the SMAT 2024 edition. The finisher hammered 277 runs in 8 innings with a 69.25 average and an impressive strike rate of 152.20. He played a couple of fiery knocks, including 70 off 38 against Delhi, to help Uttar Pradesh post competitive totals. 

While UP couldn’t advance into the semi-finals, Rinku’s finishing knocks will fill KKR with confidence. Before SMAT, the batter was struggling to score runs in international cricket, including failures on the South Africa tour. As a key and senior figure, KKR will depend on Rinku Singh to accelerate runs in IPL 2025.

1. Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane, KKR [Source: @KRxtra/X.com]Ajinkya Rahane, KKR [Source: @KRxtra/X.com]

Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane ended up being a man of crisis for his team in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024. With a total of 469 runs in 8 innings, Rahane finished as the highest run scorer. His 98-run knock in the semi-finals against Baroda was a turning point for Mumbai. 

Recently picked up by defending champions KKR for a modest price of INR 1.5 crores, Rahane has become the backbone of their batting lineup. With an impressive average of 61.71 and a strike rate of 169.41, Rahane might end up as KKR's under-the-radar gem in IPL 2025. But that's not all; along with his experience of being a leader, he has also been in the running for KKR's next IPL captain.