‘Venkatesh Iyer will not be in playing XI’: Former RCB captain drops bombshell | Cricket News
Former India captain Anil Kumble has indicated that Venkatesh Iyer may not feature in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s playing eleven at the start of the upcoming IPL season, with the defending champions keen to preserve stability in a settled side. RCB secured the Madhya Pradesh all-rounder for Rs seven crore at the IPL mini auction, a sharp contrast to the Rs 23.75 crore Kolkata Knight Riders paid to retain him last season. Despite the reduced price tag, Kumble believes RCB are unlikely to rush Iyer into the XI.
Speaking on TATA IPL Auction Review as a JioStar expert, Kumble said the franchise’s approach was centred on continuity rather than immediate change. “Venkatesh Iyer will not be in the playing eleven at the start. You do not want to create doubt in a winning team,” Kumble said. He also linked RCB’s auction strategy to their desire to back younger players already in the squad. Kumble pointed out that the decision not to aggressively pursue leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi was made to ensure Suyash Sharma continues to feel trusted. “They did not go after a Ravi Bishnoi so that Suyash Sharma does not feel threatened by a senior India spinner,” he explained. Former India all-rounder and fellow JioStar expert Sanjay Bangar shared a similar assessment, acknowledging Iyer’s quality while underlining the challenge of breaking into a settled unit. “He has been consistent, and you can see his confidence,” Bangar said, adding that RCB’s coaching and scouting group see long-term value in the all-rounder. However, Bangar admitted there was uncertainty over Iyer’s immediate role. “Will he be in the playing eleven right away? There is some doubt, as this is a settled team,” he said. Bangar noted that RCB were specifically looking to add left-handed options and now have the flexibility to introduce Iyer gradually, as they did with Krunal Pandya last season. “Krunal played well, so the lack of a top spinner was not felt. Suyash Sharma had a good season,” he added. Iyer entered the auction with a base price of Rs two crore, drawing early interest from Lucknow Super Giants before Gujarat Titans and his former franchise KKR joined the bidding. RCB eventually won the contest to bring the all-rounder to Bengaluru. Across 56 IPL innings, Iyer has scored 1,468 runs at an average of 29.12, striking at over 137, with one century and 12 half-centuries. His most recent season, however, was a difficult one, as he managed just 142 runs in seven innings for KKR despite his hefty price tag. RCB further strengthened their squad at the auction by signing left-arm pacer and lower-order batter Mangesh Yadav for Rs 5.2 crore, English wicketkeeper-batter Jordan Cox, 18-year-old Satvik Deswal for Rs 30 lakh, Under-19 players Vihaan Malhotra and Kanishk Chauhan at base price, and New Zealand fast bowler Jacob Duffy for Rs two crore.
