KKR Vice-Captain on Pressure of ₹23.75 Cr Price Tag, Playing at Eden Gardens, and His Bond with SRK
🏏 “Whether ₹20 Lakh or ₹20 Crore, My Job Remains the Same”: Venkatesh Iyer
As Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) gear up to defend their IPL title in 2025, vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer has opened up about the pressure of his whopping ₹23.75 crore price tag, the thrill of playing at Eden Gardens, and the special bond he shares with team owner Shah Rukh Khan.
📢 “Of course, there is pressure. And there has to be pressure. But once the match starts, none of it matters. Whether I am a ₹20 lakh player or a ₹20 crore player, my job remains the same.”
Iyer, who will be Ajinkya Rahane’s deputy, was retained by KKR for a staggering ₹23.75 crore, making him one of the most expensive players in IPL history.
💬 “The IPL 2025 auction was a life-changing moment for me. The middle-class guy in me was very happy with the money! I would not lie. However, as the bidding war between KKR and RCB escalated, it brought a mix of emotions. One way to look at it is to feel happy that I have done something good in my career for teams to invest in me. Another way, which I think is the right one, is to realise that this comes with a lot of responsibility.”
🎭 “SRK Feels Like an Elder Brother” – Iyer on His Relationship with KKR Owner
Venkatesh also shared insights into his relationship with Bollywood superstar and KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan, highlighting SRK’s humility and impact on the players.
💬 “More than a franchise owner, he gives off an elder brother vibe. He makes you feel like he is always there for you. A franchise owner does not have to be so friendly and humble, especially someone like him, a global superstar. But he is so down to earth. When you meet him, you feel like you want to do something special for him. You feel like, ‘No, I want to do something for this man. I want to do something special for Shah Rukh bhai.'”
🏟️ “Eden Gardens is Like a Temple for Me”
Playing in front of thousands of passionate KKR fans at Eden Gardens is an experience Iyer cherishes deeply.
📢 “To step onto the field at Eden Gardens, which is like a temple for me, and see thousands of fans cheering for you and your team—there’s no greater feeling for a cricketer. It feels like 70-80,000 people are behind you, supporting you with every action you take. That energy brings out the best in you.”
As KKR prepare to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL 2025 opener, Iyer’s presence in the middle order and leadership under Rahane will be crucial in their title defense.
🔥 IPL 2025: Can Iyer Deliver on His Price Tag?
📊 Venkatesh Iyer’s IPL Stats:
✅ Matches: 51
✅ Runs: 1,326
✅ Batting Average: 31.57
✅ Strike Rate: 137.06
✅ 50s/100s: 11/1
✅ Best Score: 104
✅ Wickets: 3
In IPL 2024, Iyer played a key role in KKR’s title win, scoring 370 runs in 13 innings at an average of 46.25 and a blistering strike rate of 158.79.
With his proven track record, the backing of KKR’s leadership, and the inspiration from SRK, Venkatesh Iyer is set to be one of the biggest stars to watch in IPL 2025.