On March 22, the Indian Premier League (IPL) will kick off with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) taking on Royal Challengers Bangalore in the opening match. This game will mark a historic milestone for KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane, as he becomes the first Indian cricketer to lead three different IPL teams. By doing so, Rahane surpasses legends like Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Shreyas Iyer, who have each captained two franchises. Rahane’s leadership journey in the IPL began in 2017 when he briefly led Rising Pune Supergiant during Steve Smith’s absence. Later, he was appointed as Rajasthan Royals’ skipper after Smith faced a suspension due to the infamous “Sandpapergate” scandal.

This season, KKR management placed their trust in Rahane over more expensive options, purchasing him for ₹1.5 crore. Initially, there were rumors of Venkatesh Iyer being considered for captaincy, but the team opted for Rahane’s experience and strategic acumen. With this decision, Rahane joins an elite group of cricketers like Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, and Steve Smith, who have led three different IPL teams. However, unlike them, Rahane will be the first Indian to achieve this feat. As he steps onto the field on March 22, all eyes will be on Rahane to see how he handles the added pressure of leading a star-studded KKR squad while aiming to defend their title.