The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have had a dynamic leadership history since the inception of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008. Their journey has seen a blend of iconic figures and strategic minds steering the team through highs and lows. From the charismatic Sourav Ganguly to the tactical Gautam Gambhir, and more recently, the experienced Ajinkya Rahane, each captain has left an indelible mark on the franchise. Under Gambhir’s leadership, KKR clinched two IPL titles, and the team added a third championship in 2024 under Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy. As of the 2025 season, Rahane leads the squad, aiming to build on the team’s rich legacy.
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First Captain Sourav Ganguly vs Current Captain Ajinkya Rahane
| Year | Captain(s) | Final Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Sourav Ganguly | 6th |
| 2009 | Brendon McCullum | 8th |
| 2010 | Sourav Ganguly | 6th |
| 2011 | Gautam Gambhir | Playoffs |
| 2012 | Gautam Gambhir | Champions |
| 2013 | Gautam Gambhir | 7th |
| 2014 | Gautam Gambhir | Champions |
| 2015 | Gautam Gambhir | 5th |
| 2016 | Gautam Gambhir | Playoffs |
| 2017 | Gautam Gambhir | Playoffs |
| 2018 | Dinesh Karthik | Playoffs |
| 2019 | Dinesh Karthik | 5th |
| 2020 | Dinesh Karthik / Eoin Morgan | 5th |
| 2021 | Eoin Morgan | Runner-up |
| 2022 | Shreyas Iyer | 7th |
| 2023 | Nitish Rana | 7th |
| 2024 | Shreyas Iyer | Champions |
| 2025 | Ajinkya Rahane | TBD |
