In a surprising development during the IPL 2025 mega auction held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) CEO Venky Mysore shed light on the team’s strategic decisions for the upcoming season. While the 2024 IPL champions opted to drop their tournament-winning captain, Shreyas Iyer, they went all-in for Venkatesh Iyer, locking him down with a massive bid of ₹23.75 crore, beating out Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in a fierce bidding war.
Mysore explained that the team’s primary objective was to maintain a balanced squad and ensure they retained core players. The team has secured big names such as Quinton de Kock and Anrich Nortje, with Mysore emphasizing that the unpredictability of auctions makes it essential to select players who align with their strategy.
“The goal is always to maintain balance and retain key players,” Mysore remarked. “With salary caps rising, it’s only natural that prices increase. For us, holding onto our core was crucial. We’ve kept six players and re-signed three from last year, ensuring stability.”
In a shift of leadership, Venkatesh Iyer, who previously captained in Nitish Rana’s absence, expressed his readiness to take on the captaincy full-time, should the opportunity arise. “Captaincy is just a tag; leadership is about fostering an environment where everyone feels they can contribute,” said the 29-year-old.
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