Kolkata Knight Riders Full Squad for IPL 2025
KKR has built a strong and balanced team for IPL 2025, keeping their key players and adding some smart new signings. Here’s the full squad:
Captain:
- Ajinkya Rahane
Batters:
- Ajinkya Rahane
- Rinku Singh
- Manish Pandey
- Ramandeep Singh
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi
Wicketkeepers:
- Quinton de Kock
- Rovman Powell
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- Luvnith Sisodia
All-Rounders:
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Andre Russell
- Sunil Narine
- Moeen Ali
- Anukul Roy
Bowlers:
- Anrich Nortje
- Spencer Johnson
- Umran Malik
- Vaibhav Arora
- Varun Chakravarthy
- Mayank Markande
Key Additions and Retentions:
- Venkatesh Iyer: Bought for a record ₹23.75 crore, making him the most expensive all-rounder in IPL history.
- Quinton de Kock: A top-class wicketkeeper-batter who strengthens the batting lineup.
- Anrich Nortje: Adds firepower to the pace attack with his speed and accuracy.
- Moeen Ali: Brings experience and all-round skills to the team.
KKR’s Predicted Playing XI for IPL 2025
Here’s the likely starting lineup for KKR:
- Quinton de Kock (wk): Explosive opener who can give KKR a strong start.
- Sunil Narine: Opens the batting and provides crucial spin bowling.
- Ajinkya Rahane (c): Captain and a steady batter in the top order.
- Venkatesh Iyer: Adds depth to the batting and can bowl part-time.
- Rinku Singh: Known for his finishing skills in the middle order.
- Andre Russell: Power-hitter and wicket-taking bowler.
- Ramandeep Singh: Provides support in the middle order.
- Varun Chakravarthy: Mystery spinner who can control the game.
- Spencer Johnson: Fast bowler with pace and aggression.
- Anukul Roy: Spin-bowling all-rounder.
- Vaibhav Arora: Domestic pacer who adds depth to the bowling attack.
Alternative Lineup:
Some experts suggest an alternative lineup where Ajinkya Rahane opens with Quinton de Kock, and players like Angkrish Raghuvanshi or Manish Pandey bat at number 3. However, the lineup with Sunil Narine opening seems more likely due to his recent form and impact.
Why KKR Looks Strong for IPL 2025:
- Explosive Batting: Players like Quinton de Kock, Andre Russell, and Rinku Singh can score big runs quickly.
- Strong All-Rounders: Venkatesh Iyer, Sunil Narine, and Moeen Ali provide balance with both bat and ball.
- Variety in Bowling: With spinners like Narine and Chakravarthy, and pacers like Nortje and Johnson, KKR has a well-rounded bowling attack.
