IPL 2025: 3 Players KKR should have gone for instead of Venkatesh Iyer at Mega Auction

1. Marco Jansen

Young Marco Jansen is in spectacular form and could have been the long-term replacement of Andre Russell in the future. Punjab Kings bought him for INR 7 crore and that was a steal, given the form the South Africa international is in. In the recently concluded T20 World Cup, the 24-year-old wreaked havoc, scoring a quick half-century and also proving economical throughout the series.

Rinku could have shifted to four, Russell to five and Jansen would have fit at number six and then Ramandeep at seven. He could have given four overs with the ball, which Venkatesh can’t. On top of that, Jansen is a terrific fielder. KKR also could have saved plenty of money and could have signed both Kishan and Jansen and would still have INR 5.50 crore left. However, the management preferred continuity and for the same reason, Venkatesh was picked ahead of the other option.