Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are heading into the IPL auction 2026 with the biggest purse among all the ten teams, and one name has suddenly returned to the limelight, and that is Venkatesh Iyer. After releasing Iyer ahead of the auction, KKR may surprisingly try to bring him back for the next season.
And former India wicketkeeper Saba Karim believes that the franchise can get the Indian all-rounder at a much lower price this time in the IPL auction 2026 in Abu Dhabi on December 16. Last year, KKR surprised everyone by spending a huge amount of Rs 23.75 crore on Venkatesh Iyer in the mega auction.
Is KKR eyeing the return of Venkatesh Iyer at a low price in IPL auction 2026?
It was one of the boldest moves of the season, but the all-rounder failed miserably to live up to expectations, scoring only 142 runs in seven innings and not bowling a single over. With such a disappointing season, KKR released Iyer ahead of the mini-auction to increase their purse.
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With ₹64.3 crore, KKR have the firepower to chase any big star in the auction pool. Nevertheless, many, including former BCCI officials and commentators, felt that the franchise would still want to bring Venkatesh back to the team at a low price to maintain the balance of the team.
Karim believes that this could be part of new KKR head coach Abhishek Nair’s predictable strategy. The former cricketer pointed out that Nair is known to reset his team structure before making a new combination. Karim feels that releasing Venkatesh not only cleared a large part of the purse but also opened the door for possible re-entry at a bargain rate.
There is a strong possibility that KKR may buy back Venkatesh Iyer: Saba Karim
JioHotstar quoted Saba Karim as saying, “There is a strong possibility that KKR may buy him (Venkatesh Iyer) back. He was released for Rs 23 crore, leaving a huge void in their purse, and chances are high that he will not go for that much money in the mini-auction now. This is Abhishek Nair’s trademark move as he always wants to start fresh.”
The commentator further added, “He keeps only those players who he feels are part of the winning combination and will be regulars in the playing eleven. The rest, he buys back in the auction. I think he will build his team like this. I have always seen Abhishek Nair work like this. So, I think the KKR management believes that perhaps Venkatesh Iyer has outlived his usefulness, the same way they have kept Andre Russell over the years.” Gave importance to.”
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Notably, Iyer burst onto the IPL scene in 2021, scoring 370 runs in 10 matches during his debut season as KKR lost the trophy to Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He also contributed 370 runs in KKR’s title-winning 2024 season. His average in 2025 was 20.28.
A total of 359 players will be auctioned in the upcoming IPL auction 2025 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on December 16, and KKR, under new head coach Abhishek Nair and a new support staff consisting of Shane Watson and Tim Southee, will be aiming to build a strong squad for the upcoming season.
