‘I have always carried myself as a leader’: Venkatesh Iyer | Cricket News

Venkatesh Iyer (PTI Photo)

As Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) prepare for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season, vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer is eager to play under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane. With Shreyas Iyer moving to Punjab Kings (PBKS), Rahane takes charge of the squad, and according to Venkatesh, his impact is already evident.
“So far, he has been an amazing leader of the group. He has taken the initiative to make conversations with all of us and try to gel with the team. We are talking about someone who has led India across formats and captained IPL teams before. He has a great head on his shoulders, remains composed under pressure, and has been a stalwart of the game. He has scored runs everywhere. For me, it’s going to be a great learning experience, and I am quite excited to play under him,” Iyer said.

Having been a key part of KKR for a few seasons, Venkatesh now steps into the vice-captaincy role. Speaking about his preparation for the added responsibility, he shared, “There is no specific preparation for it. I have always carried myself as a leader, so it’s not entirely new to me. I have put in the hard yards in both batting and bowling. More than anything, it’s about mindset—if you have accepted the role and are willing to take on the responsibility, half the job is already done. Our preparation has been good, and we have a strong group of players. I’m really excited and looking forward to the season.”

Despite stepping into a leadership position, Venkatesh revealed that he has not had direct discussions with former KKR captain Shreyas Iyer or mentor Gautam Gambhir regarding his new role.
“I haven’t spoken to them directly about it. Last season, when I was with the team, they were around, but I have always believed that I can contribute as a leader beyond just batting and bowling. The management has trusted me with the role, and I hope to do justice to it,” he noted.
With the IPL season fast approaching, Venkatesh Iyer is ready to embrace his vice-captaincy duties and contribute to KKR’s campaign. Under Rahane’s leadership, he believes the team is well-positioned for success and is eager to make an impact both on and off the field.