The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season has already started with excitement, and the Kolkata Knight Riders IPL 2025 are gearing up for a thrilling match against Rajasthan Royals (RR) after their opening loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). This article provides you with a detailed look at the Kolkata Knight Riders IPL 2025 playing XI for their upcoming match, their squad for the season, and much more.
KKR’s New Captain and Squad
Kolkata Knight Riders are coming into IPL 2025 as the defending champions after a fantastic performance last season. Though KKR lost their opening match against RCB, the team is focused and looking to make a strong comeback. After Shreyas Iyer’s departure, KKR appointed Ajinkya Rahane as their new captain. Rahane has big shoes to fill, but he has already shown great potential in his leadership role.
KKR’s Playing XI for the Upcoming Match
Here’s a look at the predicted playing XI for KKR in their upcoming match against RR:
Top Order
- Quinton de Kock – Wicketkeeper/Batter
- Sunil Narine – All-Rounder
- Ajinkya Rahane – Batter
KKR’s opening pair of Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine brings both consistency and explosiveness. While de Kock has been solid in previous IPL seasons, Narine’s explosive starts have been a key factor for KKR in the past. Rahane, the team’s captain, will bat at number three and is expected to play key innings, as seen in his solid performance in the previous match against RCB.
Middle Order
- Venkatesh Iyer – All-Rounder
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi – Batter
- Rinku Singh – Batter
The middle order of KKR looks a little inexperienced but still carries big names. Venkatesh Iyer, who was bought back by KKR after a brief release period, will bat at number four. Youngster Angkrish Raghuvanshi will likely take the fifth spot, with Rinku Singh filling in at number six. These middle-order players will need to step up and provide stability for the team.
Lower Order
- Andre Russell – All-Rounder
Andre Russell, one of the biggest match-winners for KKR, will bat at number seven and provide the firepower needed in the lower order. His all-round abilities make him a key player for KKR, and his ability to turn matches with both bat and ball is invaluable.
KKR’s Bowlers: A Strong Attack
KKR’s bowling attack is one of the team’s strongest points this season. The team boasts world-class spinners and a pace attack that is capable of causing major damage.
Spin Attack
- Sunil Narine – Bowler
- Varun Chakravarthy – Bowler
Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy will form KKR’s spin duo. Narine has been a consistent performer for KKR, and Chakravarthy’s mystery spin can keep the opposition on their toes, especially during the middle overs.
Pace Attack
- Harshit Rana – Bowler
- Vaibhav Arora – Bowler
- Anrich Nortje – Bowler
On the pace front, KKR will rely on Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, and South African pacer Anrich Nortje. Harshit and Vaibhav have been in good form, with Harshit impressing in recent international appearances. Nortje, known for his deadly pace, is expected to lead KKR’s attack and make an impact after recovering from minor injuries.
KKR Squad for IPL 2025
Here’s a list of the full squad for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025:
- Batters: Rinku Singh, Ajinkya Rahane, Manish Pandey
- All-Rounders: Andre Russell, Venkatesh Iyer, Sunil Narine, Moeen Ali
- Wicketkeepers: Quinton de Kock (WK), Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- Bowlers: Varun Chakravarthy, Anrich Nortje, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Chetan Sakariya, Mayank Markande
- Others: Ramandeep Singh, Spencer Johnson, Angkrish Raghuvanshi
KKR has a mix of experienced international players and promising young talents, which makes their squad well-rounded.
KKR’s Match Schedule for IPL 2025
Here is the match schedule for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025:
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 22 | KKR vs RCB | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| March 26 | RR vs KKR | Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati | 7:30 PM |
| March 31 | MI vs KKR | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
| April 3 | KKR vs SRH | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| April 6 | KKR vs LSG | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 3:30 PM |
| April 11 | CSK vs KKR | Chepauk Stadium, Chennai | 7:30 PM |
| April 15 | PBKS vs KKR | New Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mullanpur | 7:30 PM |
| April 21 | KKR vs GT | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| April 26 | KKR vs PBKS | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| April 29 | DC vs KKR | Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi | 7:30 PM |
| May 4 | KKR vs RR | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 3:30 PM |
| May 7 | KKR vs CSK | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | 7:30 PM |
| May 10 | SRH vs KKR | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad | 7:30 PM |
| May 17 | RCB vs KKR | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
Kolkata Knight Riders have a lot to prove this season, but with the right mix of experienced players and promising youngsters, they are in a good position to defend their title. The team’s new captain, Ajinkya Rahane, will need to inspire the players as they face tough opponents in IPL 2025. With a strong squad and great matchups ahead, KKR’s journey this season is bound to be exciting.