Sat Mar 22 15:00:00 UTC 2025: ## KKR’s Leadership Shakeup Raises Concerns Ahead of IPL 2025

**Kolkata, India** – Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has expressed concerns about Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) chances in the upcoming IPL 2025 season, citing the departure of key personnel and a potential top-order batting conundrum.

Pathan highlighted the absence of last season’s winning captain, Shreyas Iyer, and the coaching staff changes, including the loss of Gautam Gambhir. While Ajinkya Rahane takes the captaincy reins and Venkatesh Iyer becomes his deputy, Pathan questions whether Rahane can effectively balance his captaincy duties with his batting performance, suggesting he’s best suited to bat no lower than number three. This creates a positional dilemma for the team.

The departure of Phil Salt to RCB is another loss, according to Pathan, who notes Salt’s significant contribution last season. He also raises questions about whether the team can replicate Gambhir’s unshakeable confidence in Sunil Narine.

Despite the concerns, Pathan believes Venkatesh Iyer’s vice-captaincy role will not be overly burdensome, suggesting that Rahane’s leadership will benefit Iyer’s development. The team’s opening match is against Royal Challengers Bangalore on March 22nd at Eden Gardens. The KKR squad features a mix of experienced players and promising talent, but the significant changes in leadership and personnel leave room for speculation about their performance this season.

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