IPL 2025: New Look Kolkata Knight Riders Confident Of Defending Title

“GG (Gambhir) has his style; I have my style. We both have been very successful in our own ways. I messaged him a few times, but I will be leaning a lot on these guys (core players) because they have a successful formula, and it’s important that we follow that formula," Bravo said at the first preseason press conference at the Eden Gardens on Thursday.

Venkatesh Iyer is excited to learn from the new mentor Bravo and the vast experience that the West Indian legend brings.

“Really excited to work with him (Bravo). He’s been the most capped T20 player in history, so he brings a lot of experience to the table. I feel he is a really hard-working tactician from what I’ve heard of him, and I’ve always seen him go around in the boundaries, keep talking to the bowlers. He’s played so many games and won so many for West Indies and franchises. I’ll get to learn a lot with him both individually and as part of a team."

When Venkatesh was asked to comment about Gautam Gambhir no longer being with the team, Chandrakant Pandit shut it down immediately, suggesting the team move forward.

Chandrakant pointed out Ajinkya’s experience of leading teams in his illustrious career, including, of course, the Indian cricket team. The pair have had a working relationship, recently in Mumbai during the Syed Mustaq Ali Trophy.

The man himself, though, sees the appointment as an ‘honour’.

When asked about his form in the shortest format, being sold at auction for his base price and at the last slot despite being the top scorer in the 2025 SMAT, Rahane said his “goal is to be in the moment, try and give my best each and every day, and give more than 100 percent."

“I am focusing on my fitness. My goal is to know play as long as possible, but at this moment I am just focusing on this particular tournament, and I don’t want to think far too ahead," he added.

Venkatesh was picked up by KKR for a whopping INR 23.75 crore after not being retained.

When asked about price-tag pressure, the vic-captain said, “Obviously, whenever I go, I get asked this question. You can’t ignore it altogether. But as I told you, when the IPL starts, it really doesn’t matter. You know you are a part of a playing 11. You are a part of a team that is going out there to win it. It really doesn’t matter what price you were picked for."

“I feel it’s not just the number of runs that you score or the number of wickets you pick. It’s about how you carry yourself onto the field, how you are able to fulfil the responsibility that has been given to you. Pressure is always there irrespective of the price tag. But I think it is up to me how I absorb that pressure. I can’t ignore it altogether. So it will be me trying to absorb it and still trying to fulfil the responsibility that’s been given to me," he said.

Rahane came to the aid of his teammate.

“Venkatesh deserved the price. He has done well for this franchise on a number of occasions, so I think he deserves that price," he said.

KKR had a mini camp in Mumbai before the squad joined the international stars in Kolkata for a practice session under the lights at Eden Gardens ahead of their first game of the season against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on March 22 to get IPL 2025 underway.