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“I’m ready”: Venkatesh Iyer ready to take captaincy reins at KKR

Tuesday, 25-Feb-2025, 10:14 AM
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Explosive batter Venkatesh Iyer is fully ready to lead Kolkata Knight Riders in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League if offered the position. KKR, the defending champions, are only one of the two sides, who are yet to name their captain. 

Venkatesh Iyer is considered to be among the frontrunners after KKR released their title-winning captain Shreyas Iyer, who is now set to lead Punjab Kings in IPL 2025. KKR, meanwhile, had retained Venkatesh Iyer for 23.75 crore. KKR also have the option of Ajinkya Rahane, who is also one of the top contenders for the top position. 

"Definitely. Definitely, I'm ready, Again, I've always said this: captaincy is just a tag. I believe in leadership. That is a bigger role to play, being a leader. You don't necessarily need the tag of a captain to be a leader in your dressing room. You need to set examples. You need to be a good role model, both on and off the field, which I am doing right now in MP,” Iyer said while speaking to ESPNCricinfo.

"I'm not the captain of the MP team, but my opinions are respected and I really love to be in an atmosphere where every individual - again, new or experienced, 20 lakhs, 20 crore, whatever - you just need to have the freedom to voice your opinion. Or you just need to have the freedom to give opinions and give suggestions and them to be taken in the right spirit.”

Defending champions KKR will be kicking off their IPL 2025 campaign by facing RCB in the tournament opener on March 22. 

 

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