Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], March 20: Indian all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer has been appointed vice-captain of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. As KKR prepares to defend its title, Iyer recalled a valuable life lesson he learned from team owner and Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.
Focus on the Present: A Lesson from SRK
Speaking on Backstage with Boria (Season 6), Iyer reflected on how focusing too much on the future cost him opportunities in 2022.
“In 2022, there were talks about me being in the [T20] World Cup squad. Instead of focusing on my present matches, I started thinking about the World Cup. In the end, I missed out on both. That experience was a turning point. It taught me the value of focusing on the present, a lesson reinforced when an injury sidelined me for six to eight months. That phase taught me a lot about being grateful. Sometimes, in the pursuit of something extraordinary, we forget to appreciate what we already have. And these are not my words—Shah Rukh Khan told me this.”
KKR’s Vice-Captaincy and Role in IPL 2025
- Venkatesh Iyer will serve as Ajinkya Rahane’s deputy in IPL 2025.
- KKR bought him back for ₹23.75 crore, making him one of the costliest retained players.
- KKR kicks off their title defense against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
Iyer’s IPL and International Career
- IPL Debut (2021): Scored 370 runs in 10 matches at 41.11 average and took 3 wickets.
- IPL 2024 (Title-Winning Season):
- Scored 370 runs in 13 innings at 46.25 average, with a strike rate of 158.79.
- Third-highest run-scorer for KKR, including a half-century in the playoffs and final against SRH.
- Overall IPL Stats (51 Matches for KKR):
- 1,326 runs, average 31.57, strike rate 137+, 1 century, 11 fifties.
- India Career (Last Played in 2022):
- T20Is: 133 runs in 9 matches, strike rate 162+, 5 wickets.
- ODIs: 24 runs in 2 matches.
What’s Next for Iyer?
After a stellar performance in IPL 2024, Iyer will look to make a bigger impact this season and push for a national team comeback. His leadership role in KKR’s title defense will be crucial.