Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata
Kolkata, May 26: Despite winning the IPL 2024 title under Shreyas Iyer’s leadership, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) made headlines for the wrong reasons in IPL 2025, after splurging a staggering Rs 23.75 cr on Venkatesh Iyer who endured a dismal season.
Aggressively bid for by Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Iyer eventually landed at KKR. But instead of becoming a match-winner, the Madhya Pradesh all-rounder failed to deliver, scoring just 142 runs in seven innings across 11 matches, with an average of 20.28 and a strike rate of 139.21. His lone half-century couldn’t justify the price tag, as each run cost the franchise Rs 16.73 lac.
The poor form saw him dropped for the final games, with veteran Manish Pandey stepping in. However, the change brought no luck, as KKR ended their campaign with their worst-ever IPL defeat a 110-run hammering at the hands of Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The massive investment in Iyer, ironically mistaken by many fans to be meant for skipper Shreyas Iyer, left KKR scrambling during the auction and eventually saw them appoint Ajinkya Rahane as captain another unexpected twist in a forgettable season.