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IPL 2026: Venkatesh Iyer To RCB? 3 Teams That Can Trade KKR’s Vice-Captain
Follow UsVenkatesh Iyer might have had a horrid IPL 2025, but he still remains one of the best Indian talents in the league
There was a war between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) during the Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction 2025 to acquire Venkatesh Iyer. His previous team, KKR, managed to get hold of him for INR 23.75 Cr, more than nearly 12 times his base price.
However, the batting all-rounder, who was also named the vice-captain of the side, had a torrid IPL 2025 season, scoring only 142 runs and taking no wickets at all. In fact, he did not bowl for the entire season. His average of 20.28 and strike rate of 139, with the best score of 60 being his lone fifty, meant that the Madhya Pradesh all-rounder missed three matches as well.
With the chances of his release being very solid, here are the three teams that can go for a trade with KKR and acquire the services of Venkatesh.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Since RCB showed interest in him earlier and also because Liam Livingstone was a total failure for them, the Bengaluru-based franchise could go for Venkatesh. The left-handed batter has experience of 62 IPL matches and has also played for India.
With his ability to influence games by attacking the spinners, Venkatesh could be a great asset for a team that has Rajat Patidar, Virat Kohli and Phil Salt at the top.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
The Delhi Capitals have KL Rahul, Faf du Plessis and Karun Nair in the top three, a right-hand heavy unit. With Venakesh Iyer at three, they can do well to provide variety and an attacking and aggressive player in the top three. Karun Nair faded quite quickly after a good outing in his maiden IPL 2025 game against the Mumbai Indians. Thus, Venkatesh could be a good option for the Capitals to bolster their batting.
Gujarat Titans (GT)
The Gujarat Titans have a brilliant top three- Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler. However, it is the number four spot that is bothersome for them, as, despite looking good on most occasions, Sherfane Rutherford did not do well when it mattered the most. Even if Rutherford is there, he can play at five or six with Venkatesh at four and another right-hander, someone like Glenn Phillips, maybe at five.
It would make a deadly playing 11- Sai, Gill, Buttler, Venkatesh, Phillips, Rutherford, Tewatia, Rashid, Saikishore, Siraj, Prasidh Imp- Rabada.