The IPL 2026 mini-auction once again proved that in cricket, “prices are never permanent.” Venkatesh Iyer, who was a ₹23.75 crore player for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) last season, has now joined Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for just ₹7 crore. In other words, the Indian pinch-hitter accepted a nearly 70% pay cut to take a fresh opportunity in a new team.
নিলামের ৭০ শতাংশ বেতন কমল নাইটদের এই প্রাক্তন ক্রিকেটারের
Last season, Iyer struggled to live up to expectations. Playing 11 matches for KKR, he scored just 142 runs, with minimal impact in both batting and bowling. The hefty price tag appeared to weigh him down, resulting in a disappointing 2025 campaign.
However, in 2024, Iyer had been a key player in KKR’s title-winning season, scoring 370 runs in 15 matches at a strike rate of 159. That performance laid the foundation for him to press the “reset” button for the new season.
During the auction, KKR did not completely let go of Iyer. A bidding battle with RCB went up to ₹6.8 crore. But after spending ₹25.2 crore on Cameron Green, Kolkata were unwilling to push further. Finally, RCB snapped him up for ₹7 crore. With a new team, a defined role, and less financial pressure, this move could work in Iyer’s favour.
The IPL 2026 auction also delivered a shock for South African veteran David Miller, whose value dropped from ₹7.5 crore last season to just ₹2 crore with Delhi Capitals.
There were also some bargain deals at base price: England’s Ben Duckett was signed for ₹2 crore, Wanindu Hasaranga also for ₹2 crore, while Mumbai Indians brought back Quinton de Kock for just ₹1 crore.
Interestingly, several big names including Liam Livingstone, Rachin Ravindra, Jamie Smith, Prithvi Shaw, and Sarfaraz Khan went unsold in the first round, but teams later included them strategically according to squad requirements.
Overall, the IPL 2026 auction reaffirmed that form and team roles outweigh price tags. Venkatesh Iyer’s journey to RCB is not just a transfer—it’s an opportunity to prove himself all over again.