Venkatesh Iyer returns as Kolkata Knight Riders vice-captain

Venkatesh Iyer is feeling positive ahead of the upcoming IPL 2025 season. He is the vice-captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders and was recently bought back for an impressive price of Rs 23.75 crore, making him the third-most expensive player this season. Iyer is ready to take on his new role under captain Ajinkya Rahane. Rahane is stepping in after Shreyas Iyer, the former captain, was released before the mega auction. Iyer praised Rahane's leadership skills, noting that he has been proactive in connecting with the team. As a seasoned player, Iyer feels prepared for the vice-captaincy. He believes that being a leader is part of his nature. Iyer has worked hard on his batting and bowling, which he thinks prepares him well for the responsibilities ahead. He stated that accepting a leadership role is all about mindset. Though he has not yet discussed his new responsibilities directly with Shreyas or mentor Gautam Gambhir, Iyer is confident he can contribute as a leader in many ways. He is eager to support Kolkata's campaign as the IPL season approaches. Additionally, the team welcomed Dwayne Bravo as their new mentor. Bravo, a celebrated T20 player, aims to bring a winning mindset to the team. His goal is to build on the team's recent success and maintain their competitive edge in the league.