IPL 2025: 3 Reasons Why KKR Appointing Ajinkya Rahane As Captain Was A Blunder

Why appointing Rahane as captain was a wrong move [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.com]

Finally after waiting for so long, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) announced their captain for the upcoming IPL 2025 edition. Their newest recruit, Ajinkya Rahane has been given the captaincy responsibility as the India great will look to help KKR retain their IPL title as the team will enter the new season as the defending champions.

KKR released their previous season's captain, Shreyas Iyer ahead of the auction and the options to replace him as captain were limited. The team didn't invest in any potential solid captain material and had to go in with Rahane. However, appointing him could take KKR backwards and here are the reasons as to why this is a wrong move by the franchise.

1) Taking the franchise backwards

Over the years, the KKR franchise progressed extremely well, and had a dynamic leader in Shreyas Iyer, who was young and injected fresh ideas in the team.

For some reason, KKR decided to part ways with him after he helped them win the IPL title last season, and now they have appointed Rahane as the leader. While appointing Iyer, the franchise thought about the future, but now, this decision has taken the team backwards as Rahane is not getting any younger and the team would have benefited more had there been a long-term vision instead of a short-term goal.

Surely his presence will have a calming affect on the players, but how long can he serve the team?.

2) Does his place in the team get justified?

Rahane IPL stats in 2024

After a stunning season in 2023 where Rahane outscored everyone and smashed 326 runs at a strike-rate of 172, the last season brought him down as the batter could only amass 242 runs, at an average of just 20, with no fifty-plus scores.

He struggled for runs last season and the question arises, KKR believe in an aggressive style of batting, and thus, where does Rahane fit into the scheme of things? As a batter, can he give confidence to his teammates?.

KKR, at first should have gone for someone else in the auction other than Rahane, but now after appointing the captain, they have to include him the playing XI. However, his overall IPL numbers are not promising and what if he doesn't score in the in the initial few matches, will the team drop him?.

3) Woeful captaincy record

Rahane has a woeful track record as a captain in IPL. In 25 official matches, he has won only 9 games, while losing 16. His win percentage is just 36, showcasing his failure to adapt as a captain in the league.

He has led both Rising Pune Supergiants (RPSG) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) and has failed to deliver with both the sides which raises question mark on his ability to lead.

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