IPL 2025: Ajinkya Rahane’s ‘captain-batter’ conflict will ruin KKR’s season, warns Aakash Chopra

Former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter Aakash Chopra said that Ajinkya Rahane will face a "captain-batter" conflict in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Chopra stated that Rahane, who usually bats as an opener or at No. 3, might struggle if pushed lower down the order for KKR in the upcoming season.

Last week, the defending champions appointed Ajinkya Rahane as their captain for the IPL 2025 season. KKR CEO Venky Mysore stated that Rahane's vast experience and maturity were key factors in choosing him to lead the team in the high-pressure tournament. Venkatesh Iyer will serve as Rahane's deputy.

KKR Face 'Captain-Batter' Conflict as Biggest Challenge This Season - Aakash Chopra

Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Aakash Chopra weighed in on Ajinkya Rahane's appointment as KKR captain. Chopra emphasized that Rahane's success as a batter depends on his position in the lineup. He stated that Rahane should open the innings or bat at No. 3.

"For Shreyas Iyer, they've got a domestic middle-order batter, who recently helped his side win the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He is in good form," Chopra told ESPNCricinfo.

"But I do understand because KKR's biggest challenge this season is the 'captain-batter' conflict that Rahane will face. For Rahane the batter, the best thing to do is open at Eden Gardens. Or else, bat at No. 3. Anything lower kills his chance to contribute significantly because he needs the powerplay," he added.

Sunil Narine to Open with Quinton de Kock in IPL 2025 - Aakash Chopra

The cricketer-turned-commentator said that Sunil Narine impressed as an opener last season and is likely to retain the role alongside Quinton de Kock. Chopra said that Ajinkya Rahane would be best suited to bat at No. 3, but vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer is also ideally suited for that role.

"That is the conflict. Sunil Narine will open and he will open with Quinton de Kock if he is in the team. Now will they tell Narine not to open after the runs he scored last season? Of course, he will open. So, No. 3, which is ideally the position for Venkatesh Iyer, is the best you can do for Rahane. Or else he will have to forgo his own ambitions as a batter," he added.

Sunil Narine was instrumental in Kolkata Knight Riders' title-winning campaign last season. The left-handed batter was the Kolkata team's highest run-scorer, amassing 488 runs in 14 innings at an impressive strike rate of 180.74.

No. 3 is Ajinkya Rahane's Best Batting Position - Harbhajan Singh

Indian cricket legend Harbhajan Singh also stated that No. 3 is the best batting position for Ajinkya Rahane. However, he added that if KKR struggled to fit Rahane into the top order, they might have been better off appointing Sunil Narine, Venkatesh Iyer, or Andre Russell as captain.

"Rahane's best chance is at No. 3, because the openers are fixed. If KKR have picked Rahane only for captaincy, then I feel that could have been done by someone else like Narine, Iyer or Russell," Harbhajan Singh said.

Ajinkya Rahane had a disappointing IPL 2024 campaign with Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He scored 242 runs at an average of 20.17 and a strike rate of 123.46 in 12 innings. However, he was impressive in IPL 2023, amassing 326 runs at an average of 32.60 and a strike rate of 172.48 in 11 innings.

Rahane will captain Kolkata Knight Riders for the first time in their IPL 2025 season opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens on Saturday, March 22.

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