KKR vs RCB battle in IPL auction again as Venkatesh Iyer joins Virat Kohli and co for 7 Cr

Venkatesh Iyer [Source: AFP]

Venkatesh Iyer, one of the most surprising releases by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), became one of the biggest talking points at the IPL 2026 auction. 

With a base price of ₹2 crore, the left-handed batter attracted heavy interest from several teams before the auction. However, during the auction the real battle was between his former team KKR and the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

The intense bidding took place at the IPL auction held in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, December 16. Both teams were determined to get Iyer on board, leading to a fierce tug-of-war. As the price climbed higher, the competition became even more dramatic. 

Eventually, KKR decided to step back when the bid reached ₹7 crore, allowing RCB to secure the all-rounder.

RCB’s ₹7 crore deal may look modest when compared to last season, when KKR retained Venkatesh Iyer for a massive ₹23.75 crore. This marks nearly a 70 percent drop in his value. Still, it can be said that  ₹7 crore is a fair price considering his experience and proven ability in the league.

Venkatesh Iyer has been a dependable performer in the IPL. Playing 56 innings for KKR, he has scored 1,468 runs at a healthy strike rate of 137.32. His record includes one century and 12 half-centuries, showing his consistency at the top level. He was also a key player in KKR’s journey to the IPL final in 2021.

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