'We Tried, But RCB Always...' – KKR breaks silence on losing Venkatesh Iyer at IPL mini-auction

The IPL mini-auction delivered a major twist for three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders, who were unable to bring back Venkatesh Iyer. The left-handed batter was snapped up by defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore for INR 7 crore. Iyer had earlier been bought by KKR for INR 23.75 crore before the 2025 season. His poor form in the last IPL played a big role in KKR letting him go before the retention deadline.

Even so, KKR did not give up easily at the auction table. The franchise kept increasing the bid and went as high as INR 6.8 crore. When the amount touched INR 7 crore, KKR decided not to continue. That final call allowed RCB to secure the player and brought an end to Iyer’s long spell with KKR.

KKR head coach Abhishek Nayar later spoke about the situation and confirmed that the team wanted Iyer back. He explained that the management felt other teams were holding money for different players. Because of that, KKR believed they might be able to re-sign him at a lower price.

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Speaking to JioHotstar, Nayar said, “Venkatesh Iyer has been a franchise player for us from the start. We tried to get him back. We felt other teams were saving money for different players, so we thought we could get him at a lower price.” He also pointed out that Iyer suited KKR’s setup well. According to him, the all-rounder gave the team valuable balance and flexibility. He further added, “He is experienced and fits our setup, giving us flexibility. We tried, but RCB always seems to go after our players. This year, they got him. Venkatesh has been phenomenal for us over the years, and I wish him all the best in his new IPL journey.” The coach’s words showed respect and appreciation for Iyer’s contribution. He made it clear there was no bitterness over the outcome.

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While missing out on Iyer, KKR made headlines by signing Cameron Green for INR 25.20 crore. This deal made Green the most expensive player in IPL history, going past Mitchell Starc. Explaining the move, Nayar said, “I can’t say how high we were willing to go for him, but we wanted to go all out. If we have the money, we spend it. There was no point in saving the money.” He added, “The idea was to do whatever we could to get Green because he is a very important player for us. With Andre Russell gone, we need someone to take the franchise forward. So, we decided we must have Cameron Green.” Along with Green, KKR also added Matheesha Pathirana, Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, and Rachin Ravindra to strengthen their squad.

Talking about IPL 2026, KKR is going to be led by Ajinkya Rahane. After being eliminated from the playoffs in the previous season, the team hopes that their aggressive strategy in the auction really makes a difference in their favor. With a refreshed squad and new leadership options, KKR will aim to return to the top when the tournament begins on March 26.