Venkatesh Iyer, the Madhya Pradesh all-rounder, believes he is ready to lead the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) if given the opportunity in the IPL 2025 despite having no leadership experience at any level of competitive cricket.

The reigning champions, who will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the season opener at Eden Gardens, are yet to name their captain.

Shreyas Iyer led them to the IPL 2024 title, however, he was acquired in the mega auction by Punjab Kings, who later elected him captain.

“Definitely, I'm ready. Again, I've always said this: captaincy is just a tag. I believe in leadership. That is a bigger role to play, being a leader. There's no ambiguity surrounding this. I'll definitely do it if it comes my way. There is no reason not to do it,” Iyer told ESPNcricinfo.

Iyer said the captain needs to “set an example” by being a “good role model".

"You don't necessarily need the tag of a captain to be a leader in your dressing room. You need to set examples. You need to be a good role model, both on and off the field, which I am doing right now in Madhya Pradesh.

I'm not the captain of the MP team, but my opinions are respected and I really love to be in an atmosphere where every individual — new or experienced, INR 20 lakh, INR 20 crore, whatever — you just need to have the freedom to voice your opinion. You just need to have the freedom to give opinions and give suggestions and them to be taken in the right spirit,” he added.

Venkatesh Iyer joined KKR in IPL 2021 and was bought back in the IPL 2025 auction by KKR for INR 23.75 crore. Overall, the left-hander has scored 1,326 runs in 51 IPL matches, all for the Knight Riders.