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 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 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.