Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) made a bold move by securing Venkatesh Iyer for a staggering INR 23.75 crore at the IPL 2025 auction. Iyer played a key role in KKR’s journey to the final in the 2021 IPL, and in the previous season, he impressed with a blistering 370 runs in 14 matches at an explosive strike rate of 158.79.
His consistency and ability to provide crucial contributions with the bat made him a valuable asset, prompting KKR’s decision to bring him back into the squad. However, former cricketer Aakash Chopra offered a different perspective, questioning whether the hefty price tag for Iyer was justified. He pointed out that KKR could have used the same amount to bring back Phil Salt or sign big names like KL Rahul or Ishan Kishan.
Aakash Chopra explained that franchises typically spend big amounts on proven captains or all-rounders who can contribute in multiple areas, something Iyer doesn’t quite fit the bill for. According to Chopra, by splurging on Iyer, KKR compromised their auction strategy.
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“They couldn’t retain both Iyers (Shreyas and Venkatesh), and they probably knew they would only get one of them. They didn’t go for their captain, but for Venkatesh,” Aakash Chopra said in his YouTube analysis. He added, “When you spend ₹23.75 crore on a player, you expect him to either be the captain or a double-skilled player. Unfortunately, he is neither.”
Aakash Chopra also pointed out the consequences of the massive spending on Iyer, which could have affected KKR’s team balance. He speculated that KKR might have been able to secure players like Phil Salt for ₹12 crore, KL Rahul for ₹14 crore, or even Kishan, who could have provided opening options.
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With Shreyas Iyer’s absence, KKR will now face the dilemma of selecting a new captain. Chopra suggested several potential candidates, including Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Iyer himself, Ajinkya Rahane, Manish Pandey, and Moeen Ali, but couldn’t pinpoint a clear leader for the upcoming season.
