KKR purchased Venkatesh Iyer for a hefty sum of INR 23.75 crore.
During a media interaction with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer expressed that the price tag doesn’t matter when he dons the purple and gold outfit, as long as he fulfils the responsibilities given to him. The panel included skipper Ajinkya Rahane, Head Coach Chandrakant Pandit and mentor Dwayne Bravo.
The left-handed batter and occasional medium pacer acknowledged the scrutiny over his hefty price tag but stressed that it doesn’t define performance. His main focus remains on contributing to KKR’s success. A key player for the franchise, he is determined to make a strong impact this season.
Venkatesh explained his point by saying, “Honestly, wherever I go, I get asked this question so it (price-tag syndrome) is existent, right? You can’t ignore it altogether. But as I told you, when the IPL will start, it really doesn’t matter whether you’re a part of the playing XI. You are a part of the team that is going out there to win. It really doesn’t matter for what price you were picked or what is expected out of you. If you are taking the field for a side, you’ll be expected to do well. And to do well, I feel, it’s not just the number of runs that you score or the number of wickets you pick. It’s about how you carry yourself on the field and are you able to fulfil the responsibilities that have been given to you”?
Watch the full press conference video here:
The 30-year-old added, “The pressure is always there. Irrespective. If not the price tag, it will be the selection, it’ll be batting in multiple positions, bowling, fielding, everything. The pressure will still be there. But I think it’s up to me how I absorb that pressure. I can’t ignore it altogether. So it’ll be trying to absorb it and still trying to fulfil the responsibilities given to me”.
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Venkatesh Iyer, who was released by KKR ahead of the mega auction, made a stunning return to the franchise after they secured him for a staggering INR 23.75 crore – over 11 times his base price. KKR went all out, using their Right to Match (RTM) card to outbid Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in an intense bidding war. This move underscored the team’s strong faith in the all-rounder, who played a crucial role in the previous season, particularly during the playoffs. However, the hefty price tag for his return raised some eyebrows.
The all-rounder has represented the Knight Riders since his debut IPL season in 2021. He’s been a consistent performer with the bat while having limited opportunities with the ball.
In 51 IPL matches, Venkatesh has scored 1,326 runs, including a century and 11 half-centuries. With the ball, he has three wickets to his name from the 2021 season.
During the 2024 season, he was instrumental in the title-winning campaign, scoring four fifties. Overall, he amassed 370 runs at an impressive average of 46.25 and a strike rate exceeding 158.
KKR will face RCB at Eden Gardens on March 22 for the tournament opener of IPL 2025.
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