IPL 2025: KKR begin training camp with special puja at Eden Gardens, captain Ajinkya Rahane performs rituals
Kolkata Knight Riders commenced their pre-season training camp at the iconic Eden Gardens with a special prayer ceremony on Wednesday, 12 March. Captain Ajinkya Rahane, head coach Chandrakant Pandit, and bowling coach Bharat Arun were among those who took part in the puja on the ground.
Newly appointed skipper Ajinkya Rahane, along with Eden Gardens curator Sujan Mukherjee, performed the rituals. A garland was placed on three black stumps erected on the outfield of the historic venue. Rahane was seen breaking a coconut, a traditional ritual symbolising an offering to the divine before embarking on a new journey.
IPL 2025 KKR Preview
Head coach Chandrakant Pandit addressed the team during the ceremony before the players began their training session. The likes of Andre Russell and Anrich Nortje were among the many who took part in the first day of the pre-season camp at Eden Gardens. | IPL 2025 Full Schedule |
“We have already planned our training sessions. A few international players are unavailable because of the Champions Trophy, but we have most of our key players here. It’s a great feeling as we are coming back to our home ground, especially after the season we had last time around, and We would like to continue that momentum. There is a different motivation in the team,” Pandit said.
WATCH VIDEO: KKR BEGIN CAMP AT EDEN
The Eden Gardens will host the IPL 2025 season opener between defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders and former finalists Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Saturday, March 22.
KKR will be without their title-winning captain Shreyas Iyer, who was released by the franchise ahead of the mega auction. Iyer was bought by Punjab Kings for a whopping sum of Rs 26.75 crore.
KKR also let go of Phil Salt, one of their biggest match-winners from the 2024 season. However, they bought the likes of Quinton de Kock and Ajinkya Rahane to retain their batting firepower.
KKR will also be without mentor Gautam Gambhir, who was instrumental in helping them end their 10-year wait for the IPL title. Gambhir took over the role of Team India’s head coach after his successful stint as mentor.
KKR SQUAD FOR IPL 2025
Rinku Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Harshit Rana, Ramandeep Singh, Venkatesh Iyer, Quinton de Kock, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Anrich Nortje, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Vaibhav Arora, Mayank Markande, Rovman Powell, Manish Pandey, Spencer Johnson, Luvnith Sisodia, Ajinkya Rahane, Anukul Roy, Moeen Ali, Umran Malik
