Kolkata: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) CEO Venky Mysore has broken his silence regarding the franchise’s surprising bid for Indian all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer at the IPL 2025 auction. KKR secured Iyer for a staggering INR 23.75 crore, making him one of the most expensive players in the auction.
Mysore addressed the media on Sunday, explaining the rationale behind the hefty bid. “The auctions are unpredictable, and prices can surprise you. For us, it was crucial to retain our core team that won the trophy last season,” Mysore stated. He emphasized that KKR did not want to risk losing a key player like Iyer, who had given them an ultimatum to secure his services.
The bidding war for Iyer saw intense competition, particularly from Royal Challengers Bengaluru, but KKR ultimately prevailed. Mysore acknowledged the criticism from various quarters, including former cricketer Tom Moody, who found the bid “shocking.” However, Mysore defended the decision, highlighting the importance of maintaining team stability and the value Iyer brings to the squad.
“We didn’t want to find ourselves in a situation where we couldn’t bring him back. Balancing the team and ensuring we have the right players is always a priority,” Mysore added. He also mentioned that the increased salary cap contributed to the higher bids seen at this year’s auction.
As KKR prepares for the upcoming season, the pressure will be on Venkatesh Iyer to justify his price tag and deliver strong performances on the field. The franchise remains confident in their decision and looks forward to another successful campaign.
