KKR All IPL Seasons Captains List (2008 – 2025)
In the first three seasons, Knight Riders performed poorly, tarnishing its image. As the team qualified for the playoffs after qualifying from the fourth season, its performance improved from the fourth season, as well. Under the captaincy of Gautam Gambhir, the Kolkata Knight Riders lifted the IPL trophy two years in a row in 2012 and 2014.
You can find here the KKR captains of all the seasons of the IPL from 2008 to 2025. It is a matter of knowing who was the captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders during which season of the Indian Premier League.
Following is a complete list of all the Kolkata Knight Riders captains in all seasons of the Indian Premier League:
KKR All IPL Seasons Captains List (2008 – 2025)
| IPL Season | KKR Captain |
|---|---|
| IPL 2025 Season 18 | |
| IPL 2024 Season 17 | Nitish Rana |
| IPL 2023 Season 16 | Nitish Rana |
| IPL 2022 Season 15 | Shreyas Iyer |
| IPL 2021 Season 14 | Eoin Morgan |
| IPL 2020 Season 13 | Eoin Morgan |
| IPL 2019 Season 12 | Dinesh Karthik |
| IPL 2018 Season 11 | Dinesh Karthik |
| IPL 2017 Season 10 | Gautam Gambhir |
| IPL 2016 Season 9 | Gautam Gambhir |
| IPL 2015 Season 8 | Gautam Gambhir |
| IPL 2014 Season 7 | Gautam Gambhir |
| IPL 2013 Season 6 | Gautam Gambhir |
| IPL 2012 Season 5 | Gautam Gambhir |
| IPL 2011 Season 4 | Gautam Gambhir |
| IPL 2010 Season 3 | Sourav Ganguly |
| IPL 2009 Season 2 | Brendon McCullum |
| IPL 2008 Season 1 | Sourav Ganguly |
#1. Sourav Ganguly (2008-2010)
Sourav Ganguly, the iconic former Indian cricket captain, was KKR’s first captain in the inaugural season of the IPL in 2008. Ganguly’s leadership experience and cricketing acumen helped him guide the team to a respectable sixth-place finish in their first season. Ganguly continued as the captain in the following season, but the team finished in eighth place, leading to his removal as captain in 2011.
#2. Brendon McCullum (2009-2010)
Brendon McCullum, the Kiwi wicketkeeper-batsman, was appointed as KKR’s captain for the 2009 season. He led the team to a victory in their first game against the reigning champions Rajasthan Royals with a blistering 158 not out, which remains the highest individual score in the IPL. McCullum continued to lead the team in the 2010 season, but the team could not perform well, finishing in sixth place.
#3. Gautam Gambhir (2011-2017)
Gautam Gambhir, the Indian opening batsman, was appointed as KKR’s captain in 2011. Gambhir’s leadership proved to be a turning point for the team, as he led KKR to their first-ever IPL title in 2012. He continued as captain in 2013, leading the team to another championship victory. Gambhir led the team for a total of seven seasons, during which the team finished in the top four in five of those seasons.
#4. Dinesh Karthik (2018-2020)
Dinesh Karthik, the Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, was appointed as KKR’s captain in 2018, replacing Gautam Gambhir. Karthik’s first season as captain was a successful one, as KKR finished third in the IPL standings. However, the team’s performance declined in the following seasons, with the team finishing in fifth place in 2019 and sixth place in 2020. Karthik stepped down as captain midway through the 2020 season and was replaced by Eoin Morgan.
#5. Eoin Morgan (2020-2021)
Eoin Morgan, the English middle-order batsman, was appointed as KKR’s captain in the 2020 season, taking over from Dinesh Karthik. Morgan’s captaincy had an immediate impact, as KKR won four out of their last five games to secure a spot in the playoffs. However, the team was knocked
Rivcky John
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