KKR had very good retentions, would have loved to be on the list: Venkatesh Iyer

Kolkata Knight Riders picked Venkatesh Iyer over Shubman Gill ahead of the IPL 2022 mega-auction. The all-rounder played a vital role for the team in the last three years, particularly in 2024, when he scored 370 runs in 15 matches as the Shreyas Iyer-led side went on to win the title, beating Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final. Ahead of the 2025 season, the three-time champions had to drop the majority of the players as teams were allowed to retain only six. 

KKR preferred Rinku Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Harshit Rana and Ramandeep Singh as Venkatesh was let go. Speaking on the same, the 29-year-old stated that he would have loved to be on the retention list but he understands KKR’s strategy as they have covered almost 14-16 overs and five positions with the bat. Nevertheless, the Indore-born cricketer called KKR his home and favourite IPL team and hopes that he would end up playing for them again in 2025 by being picked in the auction.

“KKR has had a very good retention. I think they have covered easily 14-16 overs and with the bat, they have almost covered five positions. So, they had a great retention but I would have loved to be on that list. KKR have given me a big breakthrough and I have given everything for KKR and beyond cricket, there’s something called emotion,” Venkatesh told RevSportz.

Also Read - KKR CEO Venky Mysore opens up Shreyas Iyer’s exit

“This is a family. There’s so much emotion. It kind of makes me teary-eyed that my name is not on the retention list but I am a practical guy. I understand how it works. I was on the receiving end of on being one of the retentions in 2022 and I knew how it feels to be retained and to be left out as well. So, I think KKR have had a great retention, really happy for that. I would love to be there and the doors are open. If I have a good auction then I might still end up playing for the team I love the most,” he added.