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Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) most expensive player in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction was their highest wicket-taker in the season, Josh Hazlewood at Rs 12.50 crore. While RCB faced flak for their auction strategy and now being lauded for it post-maiden IPL title, there was one player on whom they were willing to break the bank and spend Rs 23.50 crore. Venkatesh Iyer was roped back in by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for Rs 23.75 crore but did not live up to the expectaions. However, RCB head coach Andy Flower believes that Venkatesh would have done well had he played for them.
"We really rated Venky (highly), that's why we went so hard for him. It was because we valued having a strong Indian core to our team. We wanted some exciting young cricketers and a left-hander in the top order. We didn't get him. I would like to think if he played for us, he would have had a really great season," Flower said in the post-match press conference on June 3 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
Venkatesh's lacklustre IPL 2025 season
KKR's vice-captain had a horrible season. From seven innings, he scored 142 runs at an average of 20.29. His only half-century came against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). His another notable knock of 29-ball 45 came in a four-run loss to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at home. Batting in middle order, his strike rate was 139.21. He did not play any of the matches after IPL 2025 resumed following a one-week suspension due to a hand injury.
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It will be interesting to see if KKR retain him. If KKR release the left-handed batter, RCB may bid for him again in the mini auction.
Who RCB picked for Venkatesh's spot?
Devdutt Padikkal who went unsold in the first round was picked by RCB. Padikkal was roped in for his base price of Rs 2 crore. He scored 247 runs from 10 innings at an average of 27.44, including two half-centuries. His strike rate was 150.60.
However, a hamstring injury ruled him out of latter states of IPL 2025. He was replaced by Mayank Agarwal for Rs 1 crore. Agarwal played four matches including the Qualifier 1 and the final. He scored 95 runs from four innings at an average of 148.43 and strike rate of 148.43.
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