As the countdown to IPL 2024 begins, anticipation has reached a new peak. Among the franchises, Kolkata Knight Riders, the two-time trophy winners, emerge as a team to watch closely, with high expectations resting on their shoulders once more.
Returning to lead Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2024 after missing the previous season due to a back injury, Shreyas Iyer reclaims his role as captain, with Nitish Rana serving as vice-captain. That being said let us look at the stalwarts who have guided this iconic franchise.
Indian legendary cricketer, Sourav Ganguly, KKR’s inaugural captain, steered the team to the IPL semifinals in the debut season but couldn’t replicate the success in the following year. Brendon McCullum took over in 2009, guiding KKR to the league’s top spot but faltered in the semifinals.
In 2011, Gautam Gambhir assumed the captaincy, securing two IPL titles for KKR in 2012 and 2014. Dinesh Karthik succeeded Gambhir but couldn’t clinch the championship. Eoin Morgan led the team in 2020 and 2021, narrowly missing out on playoff berths.
Shreyas Iyer took the helm in 2022, leading KKR to a seventh-place finish. Nitish Rana filled in for him in 2023, with similar results. Now, KKR fans eagerly anticipate Iyer’s return to end the title drought and secure their third IPL crown.
KKR Captain over the years at a glance ahead of IPL 2024:
| Player | Span | Matches | Won | Lost | Tied | Draw | NR | W/L | %W | %L | %NR | % |
| Sourav Ganguly | 2008-2010 | 27 | 13 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.92 | 48.14 | 51.85 | 0.00 | 48.14 |
| Brendan McCullum | 2009-2009 | 13 | 3 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.33 | 23.07 | 69.23 | 0.00 | 26.92 |
| Gautam Gambhir | 2011-2017 | 122 | 69 | 51 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1.35 | 56.55 | 41.80 | 0.81 | 57.43 |
| Jaques Kallis | 2011-2011 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.00 | 50.00 | 50.00 | 0.00 | 50.00 |
| Dinesh Karthik | 2018-2020 | 37 | 19 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.11 | 51.35 | 45.94 | 0.00 | 52.70 |
| Eoin Morgan | 2020-2021 | 24 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.91 | 45.83 | 50.00 | 0.00 | 47.91 |
| Shreyas Iyer | 2022-2022 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.75 | 42.85 | 57.14 | 0.00 | 42.85 |
| Nitish Rana | 2023-2023 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.75 | 42.85 | 57.14 | 0.00 | 42.85 |
Editors pick
