Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) made headlines by securing all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer for a staggering ₹23.25 crore during Day 1 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The franchise’s aggressive bidding reflects their determination to retain key players, especially one who has been pivotal to their recent success.
KKR’s Strategic Auction Approach
Heading into the auction, KKR had already retained six players, including Rinku Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Harshit Rana, and Ramandeep Singh. Without the right-to-match (RTM) option, KKR was compelled to go all out for players they viewed as crucial to their core.
Despite losing out on notable names like Shreyas Iyer and Mitchell Starc, KKR’s focus remained on reacquiring Venkatesh Iyer, a vital member of their IPL-winning squad earlier this year. The bidding war with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) eventually ended in KKR’s favor, with the franchise making Iyer one of the highest-paid players in IPL history.
CEO Venky Mysore Reveals Iyer’s Ultimatum
KKR CEO Venky Mysore disclosed that Iyer had expressed his hopes for KKR to secure him during the auction. “He had clearly given us an ultimatum, saying, ‘If you don’t pick me, I will be very sad.’ We didn’t want that, and we’re happy we brought him back,” Mysore shared. Iyer’s significant contributions, including his instrumental role in KKR’s championship win and his consistent performances, left the franchise with no doubts about their decision.
Balancing the Budget
KKR’s aggressive spending on Iyer was balanced by strategic purchases like Quinton de Kock for ₹3.60 crore and Anrich Nortje for ₹6.50 crore. “It all balances out in the end,” Mysore stated, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a strong squad while working within the auction dynamics.
Other Big Buys in the Auction
Day 1 of the IPL 2025 mega auction witnessed record-breaking deals, with Rishabh Pant becoming the most expensive player at ₹27 crore, purchased by Lucknow Super Giants. Shreyas Iyer followed closely, going to Punjab Kings for ₹26.25 crore.
When asked about the soaring price tags, Mysore remarked, “It’s not surprising. The players set their base prices, and we decide how much we value them based on our needs and purse availability.” He also advocated for the return of the previous RTM rule, which allowed franchises more flexibility.
KKR’s Squad After Day 1
In addition to retaining six key players, KKR bolstered their squad by acquiring Venkatesh Iyer, Vaibhav Arora, Anrich Nortje, Quinton de Kock, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Ramanullah Gurbaz, and Mayank Markande. With their focus on building a well-rounded team, KKR has once again demonstrated their intent to compete fiercely in the upcoming IPL season.
