Kolkata: Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) kicked off their IPL 2025 preparations with a vibrant Holi celebration at their team hotel. Players and support staff took a break from their rigorous training to indulge in the festival of colors, exchanging laughter, camaraderie, and festive cheer.
Key KKR stars, including Ajinkya Rahane, Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, and Angkrish Raghuvanshi, participated in the celebrations, smearing colors on each other. Members of the coaching staff, led by head coach Chandrakant Pandit and spin bowling coach Carl Crowe, were also seen joining in the festivities. The joyous occasion highlighted the team’s unity and high spirits as they gear up for the upcoming season.
KKR’s IPL 2025 Campaign and Captaincy Change
- KKR will begin their title defense against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on March 22 at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
- The franchise recently appointed Ajinkya Rahane as the new captain for IPL 2025, with Venkatesh Iyer named as his vice-captain.
- Shreyas Iyer, who led KKR to their IPL 2024 triumph, was not retained and will now captain Punjab Kings.
Pooja Ceremony Marks KKR’s Pre-Tournament Camp
Before diving into pre-season training, KKR conducted a pooja ceremony at Eden Gardens, seeking blessings for a successful campaign. Captain Ajinkya Rahane and pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee performed the rituals, joined by coaching staff and players. The ceremony served as a symbolic start to KKR’s IPL 2025 journey, reinforcing their determination to defend their title.
With team spirit at its peak and preparations in full swing, KKR looks set for another strong IPL season.
