From Varun Chakravarthy to Ajinkya Rahane, five KKR stars who could dominate IPL 2025

Defending Champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will look to retain their title in the upcoming IPL 2025. With a core group of players returning from their championship-winning squad, the team is aiming to close the gap on Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians in terms of total IPL titles. Although KKR's lineup will feature some new faces filling specific roles, the team's established veterans are expected to play a crucial part, reinforcing the trust placed in them by the franchise. They will be the ones that KKR will rely on to bring the trophy back to them. Let's have a look at the five KKR stars who are set to dominate IPL 2025:

Varun Chakravarthy's journey from a net bowler to a leading Indian spinner has been marked by consistent progress. His exceptional performance in the recent season, where he secured 21 wickets with an economy rate of 8.04, earned him second place in the Purple Cap race, surpassing his previous best. Building on his domestic success, including 18 wickets in the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy, and his contribution of nine wickets to India's ICC Champions Trophy title triumph in Dubai, Chakravarthy aims to maintain his momentum.

Rinku Singh was Kolkata Knight Riders' key retention. With a price tag of INR 13 crore, he's now their most expensive retention, a stark contrast to the INR 80 lakh base price that brought him to the franchise in 2018. This dramatic increase reflects KKR's recognition of Rinku's remarkable growth and value within the IPL. While his 2024 performance, with 168 runs, didn't match his explosive 2023 season, KKR's decision to retain him at such a high price shows their unwavering faith in his ability to be a game-changing finisher. The impact player rule has arguably limited his opportunities to display his full potential, but KKR remains optimistic that Rinku will once again deliver crucial performances when the team needs him most.

Despite a strong 2024 IPL season where he was KKR's third-highest run-scorer, Venkatesh Iyer was initially not retained by the franchise. However, KKR reposed their belief in the 30-year-old all-rounder by spending a whopping INR 23.75 crore to reacquire him at the mega auction. Iyer's versatility is a key asset, as he's capable of contributing across all facets of the game, from opening the batting to finishing innings and even providing crucial overs with his seam bowling. KKR recognizes his ability to perform under pressure, highlighted by his consistent fifties in knockout matches, and they now seek to harness his talents with greater consistency across his diverse roles.

Andre Russell, the powerful fast-bowler and explosive lower-order batsman, will once again be a crucial asset for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), expected to leave a big impact with both bat and ball. His instrumental role in KKR's successful 2024 season saw him score 222 runs at an impressive strike rate of 185, showcasing his destructive batting prowess. With the ball, Russell claimed 19 wickets, tying for second-highest wicket-taker among KKR's pace bowlers alongside Harshit Rana. Whether opening the bowling attack or delivering crucial overs at the death, or providing game-changing batting performances, Russell's experience and unique skill set remain unmatched in the contemporary cricket world.

Sunil Narine, the West Indian spin maestro, has effectively reinvented himself by taking on the role of an opening batsman. This strategic move allows him to provide explosive starts, relieving pressure on the middle order even when he doesn't fully succeed. Despite his batting approach being well-known, the 36-year-old defied expectations in the 2024 season, amassing 488 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 180.74, including his first-ever IPL century. With his bowling, Narine continued to bewilder opponents, claiming 17 wickets with his signature mystery spin. Even with adjustments to his bowling action and speed, he remains a formidable force, evidenced by his Most Valuable Player award from the previous season.