IPL 2026 Auction: These 3 Teams Could Trigger a Massive Bidding War for Venkatesh Iyer
IPL 2026 Auction Preview: With Venkatesh Iyer back in the auction pool after being released by KKR, three IPL franchises—CSK, SRH, and KKR—are expected to start a fierce bidding war for the Indian all-rounder. Here’s why each team wants him.
Venkatesh Iyer is expected to be one of the most contested players at the IPL 2026 mini-auction after his release from KKR.
Indian all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer will be one of the most requested players at the IPL 2026 mini-auction mainly because Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) let him go. Iyer, who was acquired for 23.75 crores Indian rupees, didn't perform according to the expectations in the 2025 season—merely 142 runs from seven innings. However, the 30-year-old player still has the potential to change the game with his smooth batting and sometimes quite a lot of fast bowling.
His playing skills are such that he can come in at any position in the batting order, handle the day-long innings, speed up the scoring when the pressure is on, and do even better in bowling; hence, he is the right person for many teams that are creating a stable Indian all-rounder. Moreover, he has the quality of a leader as he has captained several domestic teams in the white-ball format.
The three teams most likely to create a tussle over his signing during the IPL 2026 auction are as follows:
1. Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
CSK are expected to be one of the earliest bidders for Iyer. His composed batting approach complements the franchise’s philosophy of building innings before exploding in the death overs. With Shivam Dube already a key figure in the middle order, Iyer’s left-handed stability and power could give CSK the perfect blend in the middle overs.
The franchise struggled with consistency from players like Deepak Hooda, Vijay Shankar, and Rahul Tripathi in IPL 2025. Adding Iyer can balance their lineup and strengthen their Indian core—a feature CSK values highly.
2. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
SRH boast one of the strongest top orders with Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head, but their middle order has lacked reliability beyond Heinrich Klaasen. Venkatesh Iyer fits perfectly into this gap as a mature, left-handed middle-order batter who can rotate strike and shift gears.
With Ishan Kishan also in the squad, SRH could build a destructive left-hand trio in the middle. Iyer’s part-time seam bowling adds depth, while he could also serve as a strong Impact Player option when deployed solely as a batter.
3. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
A return to his former franchise cannot be dismissed. KKR may have released Iyer due to his high price tag, but they could attempt to secure him again at a more reasonable amount. He was outstanding for them in IPL 2024, averaging 46.25 and delivering match-winning performances.
Iyer stated in a private chat with CricTracker that he would like to wear the purple jersey again. The decision regarding the reunion will rely on the auction dynamics and the availability of funds; however, KKR is still a strong contender.
