From Sourav Gangul to Ajinkya Rahane: complete list of KKR captains in the IPL history

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have been one of the most successful franchises than Premier League India (IPL)With three championship titles under the belt. Over the years, KKR has been led by several iconic captains who have shaped the team’s trip.

As Ajinkya Rahane takes the reins for the IPL 2025 seasonFans are eager to see how the team will lead in their title defense.

Here is a complete list of all the captains who have led KKR in the IPL:

Sourav Ganguly (2008-2010)

• Matches: 27
• Won: 13
• Lost: 14
• Percentage of earnings: 48.14

Gangul was KKR’s first captain, leading them in the opening season and again in 2010. Despite his aggressive leadership, KKR fought in the first years

Brendon McCullum (2009)

• Matches: 13
• Won: 3
• Lost: 9
• Tied: 1
• Percentage of earnings: 23.07

McCullum took over in 2009, but had a hard season, with KKR ending at the bottom of the table.

Jacques Kallis (2011)

• Matches: 2
• Won: 1
• Lost: 1
• Percentage of earnings: 50.00

Kallis briefly captured KKR for two games before Gautam Gambhir took over.

Gautam Gambhir (2011-2017)

• Matches: 122
• Won: 69
• Lost: 51
• Tied: 1
• No result: 1
• Percentage of earnings: 56.55

Gambhir had been the most successful captain of KKR, bringing them to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014.

Also read: Inzamam-Ul-Haq asks for an IPL global boycott, quoting players’ outreach inequality

Dinesh Karthik (2018-2020)

• Matches: 37
• Won: 19
• Lost: 17
• Tied: 1
• Percentage of earnings: 51.35

Karthik led KKR for three seasons before dropping in the middle of the 2020 season.

John Morgan (2020-2021)

• Matches: 24
• Won: 11
• Lost: 12
• Tied: 1
• Percentage of earnings: 45.83

Morgan replaced Karthik and guided KKR in the final of 2021.

Shreyas Iyer (2022-2024)

• Matches: 29
• Won: 17
• Lost: 11
• No result: 1
• Percentage of earnings: 58.62

Iyer directed KKR to his third title IPL in 2024, but was launched by the franchise before the 2025 season.

Nitish Rana (2023)

• Matches: 14
• Won: 6
• Lost: 8
• Percentage of earnings: 42.85

Rana intervened as captain in the absence of Iyer in the 2023 season.

Ajinkya Rahane (2025)

Rahane has been appointed captain for the IPL 2025 seasonhappening in Shreyas Iyer. Will be supported by Venkatesh Iyer As a vice-chic.

Also read: Ajinkya Rahane shares his first reaction after turning into the KKR captain for IPL 2025