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KKR Captains in IPL: A Complete List from 2008 to 2023

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) is one of the most popular franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL). KKR made its debut in the IPL during the…

Susmita Dahal

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Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) is one of the most popular franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

KKR made its debut in the IPL during the inaugural season in 2008 and is one of the most popular teams in the league. The team won the IPL title twice in 2012 and 2014.

The team has a large fan following and has produced great cricketing moments over the years. One of the key factors behind the team’s success has been the captaincy of some of the greatest players in the game.

Here is a look at the list of KKR Captains who have led the team in IPL from 2008 to 2023.

List of KKR Captains in IPL from 2008 to 2023

1. Sourav Ganguly (2008 and 2010)

Sourav Ganguly, also known as Dada, is a former Indian cricketer and captain of the Indian national cricket team. He is considered one of India’s most successful captains, having led the team to several victories during his tenure.

Ganguly’s tenure as the captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the inaugural season of the IPL in 2008 was a memorable one. He played a key role in establishing KKR as a major force in the IPL. He led KKR in a total of 27 games during his period.

Sourav Ganguly with Indian PM Narendra Modi

Sourav Ganguly shaking hand with Indian PM Narendra Modi (Image Credit: Instagram/souravganguly)

Under Ganguly’s leadership, KKR finished the inaugural season in a respectable sixth place, despite facing several challenges on and off the field. Ganguly was known for his tactical acumen and ability to inspire his team to perform at their best.

Despite KKR’s struggles in the following season, the cricketer continued leading the team with the same enthusiasm and commitment. However, his removal as captain in 2011 came as a surprise to many and was widely criticized by fans and analysts.

Overall, Ganguly’s contributions as the captain of KKR were significant, and his leadership and cricketing skills helped establish the team as a major force in the IPL.

2. Brendon McCullum (2009)

Brendon McCullum is a former cricketer from New Zealand who played for the New Zealand national cricket team as a wicketkeeper-batsman.

McCullum, known for his aggressive batting style and leadership skills, was the second caption of KKR for the 2009 season. He was also credited with giving young Indian players like Manoj Tiwary and Wriddhiman Saha a chance to shine on the big stage.

One of the most memorable moments of McCullum’s captaincy came in the opening match of the IPL 2008 season when he smashed an unbeaten 158 runs in just 73 balls, which is still the highest individual score in IPL history.

Overall, McCullum’s stint as KKR captain was successful. His captaincy was praised by both fans and experts alike.

3. Gautam Gambhir (2011 to 2017)

Gautam Gambhir is a former Indian cricketer who played for the Indian national cricket team from 2003 to 2016. He was a part of the Indian team that won the ICC T20 World Cup in 2007 and the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011.

For six seasons from 2011 to 2017, Gambhir held the captaincy of KKR and currently has the record for the longest tenure as captain in the history of KKR. He was one of the most successful captains of the team, and his leadership proved to be a turning point for the team, as he led KKR to their first-ever IPL title in 2012.

He also led them to victory in the IPL in 2014, and under his captaincy, KKR also reached the playoffs in 2016 and 2017.

As a captain, Gambhir was known for his ability to inspire his team. He was a proactive captain who was not afraid to make bold decisions. Gambhir also built a strong team culture within KKR and was respected by his teammates for his work ethic and commitment.

4. Dinesh Karthik (2018 to 2020)

Dinesh Karthik is a wicketkeeper-batsman who was known for his strong batting and his excellent skills behind the stumps.

Karthik was the captain of the KKR in the IPL in the 2018 and 2019 seasons. As a captain, Karthik was known for his calm demeanor and his ability to keep the team together in high-pressure situations.

He was a proactive captain who was not afraid to make bold decisions, such as changing the batting order or the team composition. Karthik also built a strong team culture within KKR and was respected by his teammates for his approachable nature and his positive attitude.

Under Karthik’s captaincy, KKR reached the playoffs in the 2018 season. However, in the 2019 season, KKR struggled to find consistency and finished in the fifth position in the league stage, failing to qualify for the playoffs. During the 2020 season, Karthik resigned as captain midway through, and Eoin Morgan was appointed as his successor.

5. Eoin Morgan (2020 to 2021)

Eoin Morgan is a left-handed middle-order English batsman known for his aggressive stroke play and excellent captaincy skills.

Morgan was appointed as the captain of the KKR in IPL midway through the 2020 season, replacing Dinesh Karthik. As a captain, Morgan brought a wealth of experience and tactical acumen to the KKR team.

He was a calm and composed leader who was known for his ability to think on his feet and make quick decisions. Morgan also had a strong understanding of the game and was able to make strategic changes to the team’s batting and bowling lineups.

Under Morgan’s captaincy, KKR won four of the seven matches they played in the 2020 season. Although the team did not qualify for the playoffs, Morgan’s leadership was widely praised, and he was seen as a positive influence.

Morgan continued to lead KKR in the 2021 season, where he was tasked with improving the team’s performance and taking them to the playoffs. The team got to the finals with him in charge.

Morgan was still seen as a respected leader who had a positive impact on the team’s culture and dynamics. His experience and leadership skills will continue to be valuable assets for KKR in the future.

6. Shreyas Iyer (2022)

Shreyas Iyer is an Indian cricketer who is a middle-order batsman and occasional off-spinner. He is known for his strong batting style, excellent fielding skills, and calm demeanor on the field.

Iyer served as the captain of KKR in the 15th season of IPL in 2022. He is known for his calm and composed demeanor on the field, which has helped him make effective decisions under pressure. He is also a good communicator and has built a strong team culture within the squad.

In Iyer’s captainship, KKR made the League stage to the 7th position. Although the team didn’t qualify for the playoff, still his captainship was praised.

7. Nitish Rana (2023)

Nitish Rana is an Indian cricketer who is a left-handed top-order batsman and occasional off-spinner.

KKR bought him in the 2018 auction, and he will be serving as a team captain in 2023, as their regular captain Shreyas Iyer is expected to miss the initial matches due to a back injury.

Rana is known for his aggressive batting style and ability to score quick runs in the middle overs of innings. He has played some match-winning innings for KKR in the IPL, including a memorable knock of 87 off 61 balls against the Chennai Super Kings in the 2018 season.

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Xabi Alonso to Snub Liverpool and Stay at Bayern Leverkusen

Xabi Alonso is one of the most famous former footballers in the world. The Spanish player is one of the most decorated players and has won various…

Pravesh Pokharel

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Xabi Alonso is one of the most famous former footballers in the world. The Spanish player is one of the most decorated players and has won various trophies, awards, and accolades.

He was born on 25 November 1981 in Tolosa, Spain. He played in a midfield position, mostly dominating the central position, and has also played as a defensive midfielder several times. He has about 11 million followers on Instagram.

Xabi is 42 years old and currently the head coach of Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen. He has established himself as one of the most promising young managers in the world.

He has been recently linked to move to Liverpool’s vacant coaching position as Jurgen Klopp is leaving at the end of the season.

Xabi Alonso to stay at Bayern Leverkusen and snub Liverpool

In an interview, Liverpool’s manager, Jurgen Klopp, claimed that this is his last season and that he will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.

As Liverpool is actively searching for a new manager, many fans and media considered Xabi Alonso as one of the potential candidates to replace the manager. However, Bayern Munich’s former president, Uli Hoeness, said that the move is probably impossible.

Xabi Alonso is set to snub Liverpool. (Credit: Instagram)

He added that given the current success of Bayer Leverkusen, he would be inclined to stay with his team and would not want to leave it behind.

Apart from Liverpool, he has also been heavily linked with Bundesliga giant Bayern Munich. Alonso has not said anything regarding his next move and is focused on winning the Bundesliga title.

Managerial career of Xabi Alonso

Xabi earned his license after completing the UEFA elite coaching course in 2018 and joined the Real Madrid U14s as a coach. In 2019, he was appointed manager of Segunda División B club Real Sociedad B. He coached the club until the end of the 2021-22 season.

He was appointed as the new head coach of the Bundesliga team Bayer Leverkusen on 5 October 2022. He was contracted until June 2024. The team had played eight games of the season and was placed second to bottom.

In his debut, he won against Schalke 04 with a 4-0 scoreline. At the end of the season, he finished in sixth place in the league and reached the semi-finals of the 2022–23 UEFA Europa League.

He rejected the move to Tottenham Hotspur and signed a new contract with Bayer Leverkusen until 2026.

In the current season. 2023-24, he is currently at the top of the table and has managed to go 10 points clear of 33-time champions Bayern Munich. He likes to play in a 3–4–3 formation with an emphasis on passing and counter-attack.

He has also set a record as the first German team to go unbeaten for their first 33 games of the league season across all competitions. With eight games remaining, his team is set to create an upset in the German league by lifting the title for the first time in their history.

The current defending champion is Bayern Munich, who has won every league title in the last 11 years.

Xabi Alonso’s playing career at Liverpool

Alonso started his professional football career at Real Sociedad. He quickly progressed through the youth ranks and the reserve team and made his first team debut at the age of 18.

He appeared against Logroñés in December 1999 in a Copa del Rey match but was quickly loaned out to Eibar to gain first-team experience. However, his loan spell was short-lived as Sociedad was in the relegation zone, and the manager called him back to help out the team.

Lived it. Loved it.

Farewell beautiful game. pic.twitter.com/1aSN7GGNzZ

— Xabi Alonso (@XabiAlonso)

This move from the coach was successful, as the team finished at 14 positions at the end of the season. He was also made the young captain of the team.

His performance in the 2002-03 season is considered one of the best league performances for Real Sociedad.

He helped the team to finish second place, just two points below Real Madrid, and helped the team to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. He was also called up for the Spanish national football team and made his international debut in April 2003.

On 20 August 2004, he signed a contract with Liverpool, marking the beginning of a new era at Anfield. He made his debut at the Reebok Stadium against Bolton Wanderers, but the team lost the match by 1-0. He was, however, praised for his passing skills.

In his debut season, he won the Champions League with the team as he played an important role in scoring a penalty to lead the team into extra time. In the following season, 2005-06, he managed to win his first FA Cup against West Ham United.

He was part of the Liverpool team until 2009 and later made a move to Spanish giant Real Madrid. Due to his heroics in the Champions League and his beautiful plays, he is considered one of the Liverpool legends.

He was part of the Real Madrid team from 2009 to 2014 and later made his move to Bayern Munich. He retired from Bayern in 2017.

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Vinicius Jr. Breaks Down in Tears Following Racial Abuse Question

Vinícius Jr. isn’t holding back.In a tearful address on Monday, the soccer star condemned the racist insults he’s faced in Spain, revealing…

Pravesh Pokharel

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Vinícius Jr. isn’t holding back.

In a tearful address on Monday, the soccer star condemned the racist insults he’s faced in Spain, revealing it’s draining his passion for the game.

Vinicius Jr. is considering retiring after relentless racial abuse

This isn’t the first time Vinícius has spoken out. He’s a vocal advocate against racism, and the recent “One Skin” friendly between Spain and Brazil – held nearly a year after a racist incident in Valencia – provides another platform for him to raise his voice.

Vinicius Jr played for Brazil against Spanish in a charity match. (Credit: Instagram)

“This is a serious issue,” Vinícius declared. “Fighting it alone is tiring, but I won’t stop. Despite the lack of punishment for these offenders, I’ll keep making my voice heard.”

In a press conference, the Real Madrid winger couldn’t hold back his tears as he stated, “More and more, I’m losing my desire to play, but I’ll keep fighting.”

He continued, “I’m sorry, “I just want to keep playing soccer. I just want to keep doing everything I can for my club and family.”

He has denied rumors of leaving the Spanish league due to insults from some fans. He said that if he left, it would be exactly what the racists wanted.

Vinicius Jr suffered racial abuse in Spain

Vinicius Jr. has faced racist abuse from fans several times in Spain. Last year, La Liga reported 10 incidents to the police. Most recently, Atletico Madrid fans chanted racist slurs at him before a Champions League game, even though they weren’t playing Real Madrid.

He called on UEFA to take action against these fans. Videos online show Atletico fans outside the stadium shouting racist abuse.

Vinicius Jr calls on UEFA to punish Atletico fans for alleged racist abuse https://t.co/Iq4ywV5vZXpic.twitter.com/df6u2B9ETB

— Reuters (@Reuters)

He published on X then, demanding explanations and punishments for those fans. He tweeted, “I hope you’ve already thought about their punishment Champions League, UEFA,” 

Instead, he confirmed his intention to stay and play for the best club in the world. He is determined to continue scoring goals and winning titles, and he wants everyone to see him play for a long time.

Vinicius Jr.’s anti-racism charity match left him disappointed

Vinicius was the center of attention during the One Skin charity match between Spain and Brazil. The match was played in the Santiago Bernabeu, where he plays club football for Real Madrid, has left him disappointed.

The match was played to promote an anti-racism campaign that he has been the victim of lots of times. According to the media, before the match, it was reported that both the Brazilian and Spanish Football Federation would be doing everything to discourage the racist chants in the stadium.

However popular media The Athletic is now reporting that the money generated from the charity match will not be donated to charity. The match has generated almost $5 million from the gate receipts and advertisement fees which won’t be used for the anti-racism campaign and that has left a bitter taste in the player’s mouth.

Vinicius Jr will be focusing on club football next

Vinicius knows the importance of focusing on his club commitments, even though he is disappointed. Real Madrid is in a strong position in La Liga, currently leading by eight points. This gives them a significant advantage over other teams in the race for the championship.

Real Madrid has an important game against Athletic Club this Sunday. Athletic Club is a strong team currently in fourth place in La Liga.

He will be determined to focus on this upcoming challenge despite his recent disappointment. If Real Madrid wins against Athletic Club, it would greatly strengthen their chances of winning the league title.

The Brazilian forward is having a fine season for the Madrids this season. He has appeared in 20 games so far and has scored 12 goals in 20 matches. He has tremendous partnerships with fellow Brazilian Rodrygo and Englishman Jude Bellingham which is why they are strong candidates for the Spanish League title and UEFA Champions League.

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Everything about Venkatesh Iyer and Shreyas Iyer’s Fight Rumors

Venkatesh Iyer was yelled at by Shreyas Iyer, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain, during the IPL 2022 match against Rajasthan Royals (RR).In the…

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Venkatesh Iyer was yelled at by Shreyas Iyer, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain, during the IPL 2022 match against Rajasthan Royals (RR).

In the 16th over of the second innings, Venkatesh denied Shreyas a double, and a fight broke out. Despite being his team’s leading run-scorer, Shreyas was unable to lead KKR against RR.

With a magnificent 51-ball 85, Shreyas led all batters for Kolkata in scoring during the game. On the other hand, Venkatesh was limited in his abilities once KKR sent him out for a different job.

The team management assigned the all-rounder the finisher’s duty, but he could only manage a 7-ball 6 before being replaced by Yuzvendra Chahal.

With a 7-run victory, RR moved up to second place in the IPL 2022 standings, while KKR, with three wins and four defeats in 7 games, stayed in sixth place.

Shreyas Iyer yelled at Venkatesh Iyer in IPL 2022: Fight rumors explained

In the middle of the tight chase against RR in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 match, KKR players Venkatesh and Shreyas had a furious exchange.

As the game veered toward a tight battle, Venkatesh denied Shreyas a double, causing the KKR captain to lose his temper. He rarely loses his cool during a game.

Venkatesh struck a ball toward the deep point area for a single on the penultimate ball of the 16th over of the second innings.

Shreyas Iyer and Venkatesh Iyer.

Shreyas Iyer and Venkatesh Iyer during a game. (Source: )

Shreyas considered it an excellent opportunity to take a double, and Venkatesh even first reacted favorably. However, the southpaw sent his captain back almost to the middle of the field.

Even though Shreyas returned in time to prevent being run out, he was not pleased with his partner’s running. 

As a result, a minor feud broke out between the two spectacular players. The Knight Riders captain immediately yelled at his colleague to inform him of his mistake.

Along with Venkatesh, Shreyas was spotted displeased with Brendon Mccullum as the KKR captain argued with the coach over something.

In a video posted by a cricket fan, Shreyas was seen in a video protesting at head coach McCullum when he was sitting in the dugout. 

The Mumbai native was speaking with the coach about some activity on the field while holding his bat and helmet in his hands. The KKR coach, though, remained silent at that time.

Are Venkatesh Iyer and Shreyas Iyer related?

Some rumors are circulating that the Iyer duo is related in some way. However, it is just another case of the numerous false reports that have spread like wildfire in today’s internet age.

Venkatesh, born in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, has played for his homeland in domestic competitions. 

His outstanding achievements for his IPL team, KKR, allowed him to be included in the Indian Team for the current series against New Zealand.

On the other hand, Shreyas was born in Mumbai and played for Mumbai, the West Zone, and the Mumbai Cricket Association XI while growing up there before representing India.

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