Timed to Perfection? Released by KKR, Venkatesh Iyer Smashes 43-Ball 70 on IPL Auction Day

IPL Auction: Venkatesh Iyer, who was retained by the Kolkata Knight Riders for a whopping Rs 23.75 Cr after the franchise used their Right To Match (RTM), but was released in 2025. He would be in the spotlight on auction day in Abu Dhabi. IPL 2026 mini auction takes place on December 16 and Iyer has become the talk of the town after his blazing 43-ball 70 in a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Elite 2025 Super League Group A match against Punjab at the DY Patil Academy in Ambi, Pune. His whirlwind knock for Madhya Pradesh was laced with eight fours and two sixes.

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Timed to Perfection? 

Most would believe that he has timed his knock to perfection. Now it would be interesting to see if he has done enough to convince the KKR scouts to get him onboard again or not. Even if KKR does not show interest in him, surely a few other franchises would also have their eyes on the allrounder. Last season there were talks that Iyer could be handed the captaincy, which eventually was given to veteran Ajinkya Rahane. As a player, he did not have a blockbuster season as all he could score was 142 runs in 11 matches at a strike rate of 139.22. 

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Why Iyer? 

The Madya Pradesh-born cricketer is an experienced cricketer and that is invaluable. Not only can he bat at the top of the order, but can also play the role of a finisher. He has a lot of dimensions to his game and that comes in handy in T20 cricket. Iyer also has the capability of rolling his arms over, affectively. 

Iyer would have his fingers-crossed when the auction takes place in Abu Dhabi on December 16.