IPL 2025: Kolkata Knight Riders target back-to-back titles under new leadership

Kolkata Knight Riders, the defending champions of the Indian Premier League, are preparing for the 2025 season with new leadership at the helm.
The team recently held a press conference featuring new captain Ajinkya Rahane, mentor Dwayne Bravo, head coach Chandrakant Pandit, and vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer to discuss their preparations.
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"It's an honour for me to lead this wonderful franchise. I'm really thankful and grateful to the management for giving me this opportunity," said Rahane.
"For me, it is always about keeping it simple... We will obviously give our best this season," Rahane added.
"I have always played wherever the team wanted me to play. Team thinking has always come first."
Dwayne Bravo, the team's new mentor, shared his perspective on maintaining the team's winning formula.

"It would be disrespectful of me to try to change some of the good things from the last season," Bravo explained.
"It's good to have a boss like Shah Rukh who is definitely really invested in the game... That energy and that vibe, I'm going to try to bring that here as well."
Vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer expressed his enthusiasm about working with Bravo.
"He's been the most successful T20 player in history, so he brings a lot of experience to the table. Nothing can beat experience. He's played so many games; he's won so many games for West Indies and the franchises that he's played for."

Iyer also addressed the pressure of his auction price.
"It exists. You can't ignore it altogether, but when the IPL starts, it really doesn't matter. You're a part of a playing XI, a part of a team that is going out there to win."
Head coach Chandrakant Pandit discussed the team's preparation for their opening match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru scheduled for March 22.

"Every match is different, and we have been preparing since the Mumbai camp and now we have started the camp here as well... we are going to play as hard as possible," Chandrakant Pandit said.
Pandit emphasised the advantage of having players with international experience.
"The advantage that we're going to get is the confidence level that they're going to carry from the international level to KKR."
The team is looking forward to playing at their home ground, Eden Gardens.
Rahane expressed his enthusiasm about returning to their home venue.
"It's good to be back at Eden Gardens and we always love to play at Eden Gardens. The atmosphere, the energy, the passion which all the fans have."