IPL 2025 mega auction: KKR splurge 23.75 crores to buy back Venkatesh Iyer

Venkatesh Iyer scored 370 runs for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024.

Indian all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer has quietly made a name for himself as one of the most underrated players in the Indian Premier League (IPL) over the past few seasons. Iyer made his T20I debut for India in 2021 against New Zealand in Jaipur.

Iyer’s versatility to play as an opener as well as a middle-order batsman makes him a valuable asset in T20 cricket. Iyer is also a handy medium pacer, who can bowl in the middle overs and add depth to the bowling attack.

Kolkata Knight Riders buys Venkatesh Iyer for 23.75 crore

Venkatesh Iyer’s return to KKR makes him the third most expensive Indian to be sold on day one of the IPL 2025 mega auction. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) joined KKR to start the bidding war for the Indian all-rounder before taking the exit at INR 7.5 crores.

KKR out-bided Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the end to secure Iyer’s services for next year. Iyer’s return will partner him with star all-rounders Andre Russell, Sunil Narine and Ramandeep Singh, increasing adding balance to IPL 2024 winners.

Venkatesh Iyer previously in the IPL

Venkatesh Iyer began his IPL journey with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2021 and quickly made an impact scoring his maiden half-century against Mumbai Indians (MI) on September 23, 2021.

Iyer played a vital role in KKR’s impressive run to the final that season, contributing with a tally of 370 runs at a batting average of 41. He also earned two Player of the Match awards that season, including one in Qualifier 2.

Iyer etched his name in KKR’s history, when he smashed a blistering century against MI, becoming the first KKR batter to achieve this feat after Brendon McCullum in 2008.

Iyer started his IPL journey with a salary of INR 20 lakhs, he was later retained by the franchise from 2022 – 2024 season for INR 8 crores.

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