3 reasons why KKR naming Ajinkya Rahane the captain over Venkatesh Iyer could cost them badly

Ajinkya Rahane's appointment as KKR skipper and Venkatesh Iyer as his deputy has not been taken well, with critics terming it a 'blunder'.

3 reasons why KKR naming Ajinkya Rahane the captain over Venkatesh Iyer could cost them badly

Ajinkya Rahane has been appointed as the new KKR captain while Venkatesh Iyer has been named as his deputy. (via X)

Defending Indian Premier League champions Kolkata Knight Riders have stunned everyone with the decision to appoint Ajinkya Rahane as the new skipper of the side. The 36-year-old veteran batter will be supported by Venkatesh Iyer, who has been named as his deputy.

Rahane succeeds Shreyas Iyer as the new KKR skipper. Iyer had decided to depart Kolkata after having guided the team to its third IPL title win last season. Iyer was subsequently bought by Punjab Kings for a record sum of INR 26.5 crores. Meanwhile, KKR opted to retain Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, and Varun Chakravarthy. Kolkata Knight Riders also spent a fortune on securing Venkatesh Iyer‘s services.

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Veteran batsman Ajinkya Rahane was bought for a meager price of INR 1.5 crores in the accelerated round. However, following the 36-year-old heroics for Mumbai in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he has now been appointed the captain. Rahane played a crucial role in Mumbai’s title-winning campaign, topping the run charts with 469 runs at an average of 58.62 and a strike rate of 164.56.

Interestingly, it also marked the homecoming for Rahane, who spent the 2022 IPL season at Kolkata. He later departed to join CSK in 2023. However, Rahane’s appointment as KKR skipper has been termed a ‘blunder,’ with many preferring Venkatesh Iyer instead.

Ajinkya Rahane’s age and a dent to future plans

While Ajinkya Rahane seems to be a good choice for KKR as a captain, building upon his immense experience and recent form, the decision has still been criticized by many. Rahane’s age has been a reason for the criticism, with the batter having reached the dawn of his career.

Ajinkya Rahane captain choice
Ajinkya Rahane’s selection as KKR captain has sparked doubts among fans and critics. (via Mumbai Mirror)

Many had anticipated Venkatesh Iyer’s appointment as the KKR skipper, owing to his massive price tag. However, the 30-year-old all-rounder was snubbed. Thus, it has led to many fans pointing out that the team might have moved backwards and that KKR would have benefited more from a long-term future vision instead of a season-long short-term goal.

Ajinkya Rahane’s poor stats in the 2024 IPL season

Ajinkya Rahane had a stunning return to form in the 2023 IPL season after he joined the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings. He smashed 326 runs at an impressive strike rate of 172, outscoring many of his contemporaries. However, he did not enjoy similar stats in the 2024 season.

CSK decided to part ways with Rahane after he managed to score only 242 runs last season. While the Mumbai batter might have returned to form in domestic cricket, his position in KKR and his batting consistency still remain in doubt. On the other hand, Venkatesh Iyer was prolific in KKR’s title-winning campaign last season, scoring 370 runs at a strike rate of 158.79 in 15 matches.

Ajinkya Rahane’s woeful captaincy record

To make matters worse, Ajinkya Rahane has a woeful captaincy record in the IPL. The 36-year-old, despite having played more than 85 Test matches, 90 ODIs, and 20 T20Is, does not have a good leadership record in the IPL. As captain, Rahane has won nine and lost 16 out of 25 matches.

Rahane boasts a win percentage of just 36 in the IPL. He has erstwhile captained teams like the Rising Pune Supergiants and Rajasthan Royals in previous editions. His failure to deliver as captain raises a question mark on his abilities to lead the team from the forefront. It thus remains to be seen what lies ahead for the 36-year-old player and his new franchise.