'Getting ₹23.75 crore is secondary' - Venkatesh Iyer on being bought by KKR after being released

Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders secured the services of Venkatesh Iyer for INR 23.75 crore during the IPL 2025 mega auction, making him the most expensive Indian all-rounder in IPL history. The bid placed him third on the list of highest-paid Indian cricketers in the tournament, behind only Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer.

Iyer, who entered the auction at a base price of INR 2 crore, went back to his former tame with a massive paycheck. The auction room witnessed an intense bidding war as Lucknow Super Giants, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and KKR fought for the all-rounder. 

While LSG dropped out at INR 7.75 crore, RCB and KKR continued their battle, pushing the price beyond Pat Cummins' INR 20.50 crore, before RCB finally conceded at INR 23.75 crore. Iyer expressed his happiness about the signing.

“Getting INR 23.75 crore is secondary, but a second chance to play for Kolkata Knight Riders is the most important thing. I am thankful to the team management for putting their trust in me,” Venkatesh Iyer said on Star Sports.

Was the first one to laud KKR for their six retentions: Venkatesh Iyer

Just two days before the auction, Iyer revealed that he had a conversation with Chandrakant Pandit, who is both KKR's head coach and Madhya Pradesh's domestic coach about the auction dynamics. Currently playing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Iyer shared that his teammates Avesh Khan and Rajat Patidar were delighted with his success.

"I was sitting with Chandrakant Pandit two days ago and requested he re-acquire me for KKR. I was taken aback a bit when Kolkata didn’t retain me, but I understand how the auction process works. I was the first one to laud KKR for their six retentions,” he continued.

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"I am playing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Madhya Pradesh, and my teammates Avesh Khan (LSG) and Rajat Patidar (RCB) were happy for me. I am a leader at KKR, and the decision-makers allow all of us to give suggestions," the all-rounder concluded.

KKR's investment in Iyer came after they had already retained six key players, Rinku Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Harshit Rana, and Ramandeep Singh. The franchise further strengthened their squad by acquiring wicketkeeper-batters Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Quinton de Kock, along with South African pacer Anrich Nortje.