Three-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are ready to start their IPL 2025 journey, as the defending champions will play the tournament opener when they host Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on March 22. 

Here, we are going through the strongest possible playing XI for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2025.

Top-Order Batters

• Sunil Narine, Quinton de Kock (wk), Ajinkya Rahane (Captain)

While the Caribbean cricketer Sunil Narine is likely to continue the opening batting role in the powerplay to produce firing starts, former South African wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock can play the other opening batter role for the defending champions. There is no doubt about what De Kock can do with the bat, and Narine was the leading run-scorer for the IPL 2024 champions. Afghan cricketer Rahmanullah Gurbaz can be a strong alternative opening option for the KKR.

Captain Ajinkya Rahane is likely to bat at no.3 for his new IPL team. The right-handed batter was in great form in domestic cricket in the 2024-25 season. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25, Rahane finished as the leading run-scorer with 469 runs in eight innings with an average of 58.62 and an incredible strike rate of 164.56, including five half-centuries. His experience will be a key in the KKR batting lineup. 

See Also: IPL 2025: Mumbai Indians Strongest Playing XI

Middle-Order Batters

• Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Andre Russell

Venkatesh Iyer is the leading run-scorer for KKR since IPL 2021, which shows his consistency level with the bat. He is also useful as a part-time medium pace bowler.

Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, and Andre Russell are the power hitters in the KKR batting lineup, and each of them can change the match status with the bat in any situation. Even their short cameos can play very useful roles for the defending champions. 

Further, KKR also have the overseas names Moeen Ali and Rovman Powell, who are also popular in this format. 

Spinner(s)

• (Sunil Narine), Varun Chakravarthy

We have already named the Caribbean spinner Sunil Narine in the list, as the leading wicket-taker for KKR, who will play the main spin bowling role for his team in the IPL 2025. Meanwhile, in-form Varun Chakravarthy is ready to continue his stormy form with the ball. 

Pacers

• Harshit Rana, Anrich Nortje/Spencer Johnson, Vaibhav Arora

Harshit Rana is now growing as one of the bright futures in the Indian pace-bowling. The 23-year-old can go longer with his consistent improvement. 

South African fast bowler Anrich Nortje is returning from injury. He has recorded 60 wickets in 46 IPL matches, all for Delhi Capitals. He struggled in the last two IPL seasons, and IPL 2025 will test him. 

The 29-year-old Australian left-arm fast bowler Spencer Johnson can be a good alternative overseas pacer who served for Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2024 and took four wickets in five games. In the last two BBL editions, Johnson bagged 32 wickets, joint second most wicket-takers. If he adjusts the Indian condition quickly, it can create a great story for the defending champions. 

The 27-year-old uncapped Indian pacer Vaibhav Arora has taken 19 wickets in 20 IPL matches, including 11 wickets in 10 games in the IPL 2024. In the List A tournament Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25, he recorded 13 wickets in six games, including one fifer.