KKR IPL 2025 Schedule, Squad, Key Players & Predicted Playing XI

Winning the IPL once is tough, but winning it back-to-back? That’s a challenge only a few teams have conquered. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will enter the 2025 season as defending champions, hoping to repeat their 2024 success. But with Ajinkya Rahane now leading the side and some key squad changes, do they have what it takes to lift the trophy again?

KKR IPL 2025 Schedule, Squad, Key Players & Predicted Playing XI

Rahane taking over as captain after Shreyas Iyer’s departure is a major shift. He brings experience and calmness, but his leadership style will be different from Iyer’s aggressive approach. The good news is that KKR’s core remains intact – players like Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, and Andre Russell have been match-winners in crucial moments and will be central to their title defense. 

The team has also made some smart signings. Quinton de Kock strengthens the top order, Anrich Nortje adds pace and firepower to the bowling attack, and Moeen Ali brings all-round versatility. However, they will miss the contributions of Mitchell Starc, Phil Salt, and especially Shreyas Iyer, who played a huge role in their title-winning run last year. 

If KKR’s bowling unit fires, and Rahane can manage the squad effectively, there’s no reason they can’t go all the way again. But in a league as competitive as the IPL, repeating success is never easy. The road to another title will be tough, but KKR has the talent and depth to make it happen.  In this article, we’ll explore KKR’s complete schedule, squad details, key players, and predicted playing XI, along with insights into their chances for IPL 2025.

KKR IPL 2025 Schedule

KKR’s journey in the IPL 2025 will feature some blockbuster clashes. Here’s their complete schedule:

IPL Match Schedule

Match No.	Date	Match	Time	Venue
1	March 22	KKR vs RCB	7:30 PM	Kolkata
2	March 26	RR vs KKR	7:30 PM	Guwahati
3	March 31	MI vs KKR	7:30 PM	Mumbai
4	April 3	KKR vs SRH	7:30 PM	Kolkata
5	April 6	KKR vs LSG	7:30 PM	Kolkata
6	April 11	CSK vs KKR	3:30 PM	Chennai
7	April 15	PBKS vs KKR	7:30 PM	New Chandigarh
8	April 21	KKR vs GT	3:30 PM	Kolkata
9	April 26	KKR vs PBKS	7:30 PM	Kolkata
10	April 29	DC vs KKR	7:30 PM	Delhi
11	May 4	KKR vs RR	7:30 PM	Kolkata
12	May 7	KKR vs CSK	7:30 PM	Kolkata
13	May 10	SRH vs KKR	7:30 PM	Hyderabad
14	May 17	RCB vs KKR	7:30 PM	Bengaluru

KKR Squad for IPL 2025

KKR has retained a core group of players while making some valuable additions during the IPL 2025 auction. Here’s the complete KKR squad:

Batters:

Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Manish Pandey, Rovman Powell, Ajinkya Rahane, Ramandeep Singh, Angkrish Raghuvanshi

Wicket Keepers:

Quinton de Kock, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Luvnith Sisodia

All-rounders:

Andre Russell, Moeen Ali, Venkatesh Iyer, Anukul Roy

Bowlers:

Varun Chakaravarthy, Sunil Narine, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Spencer Johnson, Mayank Markande, Anrich Nortje, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Harshit Rana, Chetan Sakariya

Key Players to Watch Out For

KKR’s hopes of winning their first IPL title will largely depend on the performance of their star players. Here are the key players to watch out for:

1. Rinku Singh

Over the past few seasons, Rinku Singh has been Kolkata Knight Riders’ go-to finisher, stepping up in pressure moments to pull off stunning wins. Whether it was his five sixes in an over against Gujarat Titans or his last-over heroics in crunch games, Rinku has made a habit of delivering when it matters most. But the reality is, playing as a finisher means he often gets only a handful of balls to make an impact. 

With KKR looking to defend their IPL title in 2025, promoting Rinku up the order could be a game-changer. He has shown he’s more than just a late-order hitter – he has the technique and temperament to build an innings. Giving him more time at the crease could unlock his full potential, making him not just a match-winner in the final overs but a consistent run-scorer throughout the innings. If KKR takes that leap of faith, this could be the season that truly defines Rinku Singh’s career. 

2. Ajinkya Rahane– The Skipper

Ajinkya Rahane has a massive task ahead as he steps in as KKR’s captain, filling the void left by Shreyas Iyer. Leading a defending champion team comes with immense pressure, but Rahane has proved throughout his career that he thrives in tough situations. His calm presence and tactical mind will be key, and if he can deliver both as a leader and batsman, KKR could be in for another strong season. 

3. Andre Russell – The Game-Changer

Andre Russell has been the heartbeat of KKR, delivering with both bat and ball when it matters most. His 19 wickets last season played a huge role in their title-winning campaign, proving he’s much more than just a power-hitter. But with Mitchell Starc gone, the pressure on Russell to deliver with the ball will be even greater. If he can stay fit and continue his all-round brilliance, KKR will have a strong chance of defending their title. 

4. Sunil Narine – The Spearhead

Sunil Narine has been KKR’s ultimate game-changer for over a decade. Whether it’s bamboozling batters with his mystery spin or smashing quick runs at the top of the order, he brings unmatched value to the team. His ability to control games with the ball makes him a constant threat, while his fearless batting provides KKR with explosive starts. Even as the game evolves, Narine remains a vital part of KKR’s success, proving time and again why he’s irreplaceable. 

5. Varun Chakaravarthy – The X-Factor

Varun Chakravarthy has become KKR’s go-to spinner, delivering in high-pressure moments with his unplayable variations. His ability to choke runs in the middle overs and pick up key wickets makes him a crucial part of KKR’s bowling attack. With batters struggling to read him, he has consistently been among the team’s top wicket-takers. 

KKR’s Predicted Playing XI for IPL 2025

Based on form, consistency, and match conditions, here’s the predicted KKR playing XI for IPL 2025:

1. Sunil Narine
2. Quinton de Kock (wk)
3. Venkatesh Iyer
4. Ajinkya Rahane (C)
5. Rinku Singh
6. Andre Russell
7. Ramandeep Singh
8. Harshit Rana
9. Spencer Johnson
10. Vaibhav Arora
11. Varun Chakravarthy 

Impact Player: Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Mayank Markande

KKR’s Strengths and Weaknesses

 Strengths:

• Explosive Batting Lineup: With players like Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine and Andre Russell, KKR boasts a strong batting core.
• Pace Attack: Spencer Johnson, and Harshit Rana bring firepower to the bowling attack, capable of delivering early wickets.
• Experienced Leadership: Ajinkya Rahane’ captaincy experience brings stability to the team.

 Weaknesses:

• One of KKR’s biggest concerns heading into the season is the lack of a world-class fast bowler. While Spencer Johnson and Anrich Nortje bring serious pace, both have struggled with economy and consistency. Taking wickets in the powerplay has been a major issue, often leaving the spinners with too much to do later in the innings. Without a reliable strike bowler upfront, KKR could find themselves under pressure against strong batting lineups.
• One of KKR’s biggest strengths last season was their explosive opening pair of Sunil Narine and Phil Salt, but with Salt gone and Narine struggling for consistency, things look uncertain at the top. His form leading up to the IPL has been patchy, and pairing him with Quinton de Kock or Ajinkya Rahane might not be the best tactical fit. If Narine doesn’t fire, KKR could find themselves wasting the powerplay instead of making the most of it.

KKR’s Chances in IPL 2025

KKR has built a formidable squad with a solid combination of experienced players and emerging talent. If their key players fire consistently and their bowlers deliver in pressure situations, KKR has a strong chance of making it to the IPL 2025 playoffs and potentially winning their first-ever title.

Conclusion

The Kolkata Knight Riders are determined to end their title drought in IPL 2025. With power-packed batters, reliable bowlers, and skilled all-rounders, they have a balanced squad capable of making a deep run in the tournament. Fans are eager to see Rinku, Russell, and Harshit lead the charge in what promises to be an exciting IPL season.

Stay tuned to ScoreWaves for the latest updates on KKR’s performance, match previews, and expert analysis throughout IPL 2025

Also Read: RCB IPL 2025 Schedule, Squad, Key Players & Predicted Playing XI