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IPL auction: How RCB's Venkatesh Iyer signing to replace Devdutt Padikkal could be game-changer

Anurag Dasgupta

Why signing Venkatesh Iyer could solve RCB's major issue [Source: AFP Photo]Why signing Venkatesh Iyer could solve RCB's major issue [Source: AFP Photo]

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini auction is set to take place on December 16 as all ten franchises will aim to strengthen their team for the next season. KKR has the highest purse heading into the auction, while MI has the lowest, as the teams need to use different permutations and combinations to buy players.

The focus will also be on the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The team won their maiden IPL title last season, and to go back-to-back in the league, the side needs to fill in a couple of mini loopholes, and it also involves getting a solid batter at number 3.

For that role, the team should go after the unwanted released KKR star, Venkatesh Iyer and here's what he brings to the table for the defending champions.

What Venkatesh Iyer brings to the table

Experience: Having played in the league since 2021, Venkatesh Iyer has immense experience in the IPL and he could bring the same to the table for the defending champions. RCB has a great mixture of youth and experience, and Venkatesh’s presence could further bolster the team for the next season.

Proven performer in the league: Not only an experienced player, but Venkatesh is also a proven performer and a winner in the IPL. He has scored truckloads of runs and was the key reason why KKR reached the finale in 2021.

Criterion
Data
Matches62
Runs1468
Strike rate137.32

(Venkatesh Iyer in IPL)

  • 62 matches played, 1468 runs scored at a healthy strike rate of almost 138 define Venkatesh Iyer’s IPL journey. He started his IPL journey on tricky UAE wickets, and has also performed on flat wickets as the Madhya Pradesh batter can adapt to different conditions.
  • An upgrade over Padikkal: Devdutt Padikkal, the Karnataka player, has played more IPL games than Venkatesh, and has only racked up 1806 runs in 74 matches, with a strike rate of just 126.29. On paper, Venkatesh is a clear upgrade over Padikkal, and the team will also get a left-handed replacement for a left-handed Padikkal.

How RCB can utilise Venkatesh Iyer

  • Virat Kohli and Phil Salt, the two openers for RCB, complemented each other last season as the team defeated PBKS to win the title. Salt is an aggressor, and Kohli has been a stellar player in the IPL in the last. three seasons. If a wicket falls, Venkatesh could be there to continue the momentum with his aggressive batting.
  • Last season, his performances dipped because Venkatesh wasn’t played at his designated position, and he was forced to play down at 5. This resulted in poor performances as the 23.75 crore buy could only score 142 runs in 11 matches and was also dropped midway.
  • If RCB rope him for next season, his batting position problem could be solved as he could be made to play at his favourite number 3 spot, and the Madhya Pradesh batter could do wonders for the IPL champions.
  • He could bat at 3, with Rajat Patidar, his best friend, coming in at 4. Tim David, Jitesh Sharma, Romario Shepherd, and Krunal Pandya could form the batting department for RCB.

Final verdict

RCB only needs a couple of signings to plug in their loopholes for next season, and the winning formula should be to rope in ex-KKR player Venkatesh Iyer. He is a big-game player, has scored truckloads of runs in the league, and will be a valuable asset for the team at number 3, if he gets the opportunity to bat there.