Kolkata Knight Riders

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the three-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, are set to defend their 2024 title under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane. With a well-balanced squad featuring explosive batters, impactful all-rounders, and a lethal bowling attack, KKR looks poised for another dominant season.

In the batting lineup, veterans like Manish Pandey and Rahane will provide stability, while power-hitters Rinku Singh and Rovman Powell will bring the fireworks in the middle order. The all-round department is packed with match-winners like Venkatesh Iyer, Moeen Ali, Sunil Narine, and the destructive Andre Russell, giving KKR incredible depth.

Behind the stumps, the experienced Quinton de Kock and the aggressive Rahmanullah Gurbaz offer solid wicketkeeping options. The bowling attack boasts the mystery spin of Varun Chakaravarthy, the raw pace of Umran Malik, the accuracy of Harshit Rana, and the express speed of Anrich Nortje.

With Rahane’s calm leadership and a squad brimming with firepower, KKR will be aiming to add a fourth IPL trophy to their cabinet. Can the Knights maintain their winning momentum and dominate the league once again?
Kolkata Knight Riders
2012 2014 2024
AJINKYA-RAHANE
Captain
Ajinkya Madhukar Rahane
Team Stats
Played
262
Won
134
Lost
122
Tied
4
N/R
2
Head Coach
Chandrakant Sitaram Pandit
Assistant Coach
Abhishek Mohan Nayar
Bowling Coach
Bharathi Arun

KKR Squad

Team
Batters
Wicket Keepers
All Rounders
Bowlers
The Kolkata Knight Riders, the defending champions of the Indian Premier League (IPL), are all set to continue their winning momentum in the upcoming season. With a balanced and dynamic squad, they aim to secure their fourth IPL title and cement their legacy as one of the most successful franchises in the tournament's history. KKR made a bold decision by retaining the core of their championship-winning squad, keeping as many as six key players ahead of the auction. However, the franchise parted ways with former captain Shreyas Iyer, who will now lead the Punjab Kings in the upcoming season. In a significant leadership change, veteran Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane has been appointed as the new captain, bringing a wealth of experience and calm demeanor to the role. The franchise also retained crucial players like Rinku Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Harshit Ran and Ramandeep Singh. These players formed the backbone of the team during their successful title run and will once again be integral to KKR's ambitions. KKR strengthened their squad further with some impressive additions ahead of the new season. Notable inclusions include power-hitters Quinton de Kock and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, explosive all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer, and lethal pacers Anrich Nortje and Spencer Johnson. These signings bolster both their batting and bowling departments, making them a formidable force once again. The batting department will be led by skipper Rahane, alongside experienced campaigners like Manish Pandey and Rovman Powell. Rinku Singh will continue to be a crucial middle-order batter. The wicketkeeping duo of Quinton de Kock and Rahmanullah Gurbaz adds firepower at the top, while hard-hitting all-rounders like Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Venkatesh Iyer and Moeen Ali provide depth to the batting lineup. KKR’s bowling attack is a perfect blend of pace and spin. The fiery pace quartet of Anrich Nortje, Spencer Johnson, Harshit Rana and Chetan Sakariya will be crucial in dismantling opposition line-ups. The spin department, led by mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy and the ever-reliable Sunil Narine, is further reinforced by Moeen Ali and Mayank Markande.

KKR Stats and Performance

Historically, KKR has had a mixed journey in the IPL. The team clinched the championship title twice, first in 2012 by defeating the Chennai Super Kings in the final, and again in 2014, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure. After a series of fluctuating performances in subsequent years, KKR made a remarkable comeback in 2024, securing their third title by defeating the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final. This victory was a testament to their resilience and strategic acumen.
All
Team
Batting
Bowling

KKR Highest Team Score

Year
Score
Match Against
2024
272
Delhi Capitals
2024
261
Punjab Kings
2024
235
Lucknow Super Giants
KKR win % Against Other IPL Teams
Batting
Bowling
Best Bowling
ANDRE-RUSSELL
Andre Russell
5/15
Most Wickets
SUNIL-NARINE
Sunil Narine
190
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have been one of the IPL's most popular and successful franchises since 2008. Under the captaincy of Gautam Gambhir, they won two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014, building a reputation for fearless cricket and tactical depth. KKR have enjoyed strong head-to-head records against teams like Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Over the years, they've had standout performers like Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and more recently, Venkatesh Iyer. KKR remain a playoff threat and crowd favourite, known for their aggressive brand of cricket and strong team culture.

KKR Performance In Past Year

Year
Position
Top Scorer
Most Wickets
2024
1
488 - Sunil Narine
21 W - Varun Chakaravarthy
2023
7
474 - Rinku Singh
20 W - Varun Chakaravarthy
2022
7
401 - Shreyas Iyer
17 W - Andre Russell
2021
2
478 - Shubman Gill
18 W - Varun Chakaravarthy
2020
5
440 - Shubman Gill
17 W - Varun Chakaravarthy
2019
5
510 - Andre Russell
11 W - Andre Russell
2018
3
498 - Dinesh Karthik
17 W - Sunil Narine
2017
3
498 - Gautam Gambhir
17 W - Chris Woakes
2016
4
501 - Gautam Gambhir
15 W - Andre Russell
2015
5
364 - Robin Uthappa
14 W - Andre Russell
2014
1
660 - Robin Uthappa
21 W - Sunil Narine
2013
7
406 - Gautam Gambhir
22 W - Sunil Narine
2012
1
590 - Gautam Gambhir
24 W - Sunil Narine
2011
4
424 - Jacques Kallis
16 W - Iqbal Abdulla
2010
6
493 - Sourav Ganguly
9 W - Ashok Dinda
2009
8
365 - Brad Hodge
11 W - Ishant Sharma
2008
6
349 - Sourav Ganguly
12 W - Umar Gul
The 2024 IPL season was a landmark year for KKR. The team displayed consistent performances throughout the tournament, culminating in clinching their third IPL title by defeating the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final. This victory not only added another trophy to their cabinet but also reinstated their status as one of the top teams in the league.

KKR Team Performance In Past Year

Year
Played
Won
Lost
Win%
2025
10
4
5
40
2024
15
11
3
73.33
2023
14
6
8
42.86
2022
14
6
8
42.86
2021
17
9
8
52.94
2020
14
6
7
42.86
2019
14
6
7
42.86
2018
16
9
7
56.25
2017
16
9
7
56.25
2016
15
8
7
53.33
2015
13
7
6
53.85
2014
16
11
4
68.75
2013
16
6
10
37.5
2012
17
12
5
70.59
2011
15
8
7
53.33
2010
14
7
7
50
2009
13
3
9
23.08
2008
13
6
7
46.15

KKR Captains performance in past years

Name
Matches
Won
Lost
Win%
108
61
46
56.48
37
19
17
51.35
29
17
11
58.62
27
13
14
48.15
24
11
12
45.83
14
6
8
42.86
13
3
9
23.08
10
4
5
40

KKR Man of the Match Awards

Name
Matches
Award Count
195
17
136
16
122
9
KKR’s biggest strength this season is their world-class all-rounders. The trio of Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and Moeen Ali brings exceptional balance to the squad, offering explosive batting and crucial breakthroughs with the ball. Venkatesh Iyer’s versatility as a top-order batter and a handy medium-pacer further strengthens the side.

In the bowling department, Varun Chakaravarthy’s mystery spin remains KKR’s trump card, while the sheer pace of Umran Malik and Anrich Nortje can unsettle any batting lineup. Harshit Rana’s consistency adds depth to the pace attack.

The experienced Quinton de Kock and the aggressive Rahmanullah Gurbaz provide solid options behind the stumps, while Rinku Singh and Rovman Powell will be key finishers in the death overs.

With Ajinkya Rahane’s composed captaincy and a squad that ticks all the boxes, KKR looks ready to make a strong title defense and establish themselves as one of the most successful franchises in IPL history.
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