Venkatesh Iyer Set for Massive Pay Cut in IPL 2026 Auction: Probable Price Range and Top Contenders

Venkatesh Iyer, an Indian cricketer who had signed in IPL for one of the highest amounts of ₹23.75 crore, is setting his return to the mini-auction of IPL 2026 with a significantly reduced base price of ₹2 crore. The all-rounder was released by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) after one disappointing season, so he had to start over by going back to the auction pool.

The 30-year-old player is still, along with Ravi Bishnoi, one of only two Indians who fall into the highest base-price bracket in this auction. His talent—he is a lefthanded top-order batsman and at the same time a seam bowler—makes him really interesting for franchises who look for flexibility and Indian all-rounders.

Why Teams Will Still Chase Him

Despite modest returns in IPL 2025, the combination of batting versatility and seam-bowling capability ensures that Iyer fits into several team structures. Three franchises stand out based on squad gaps, purse strength and past interest.

1. Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

With a ₹43.3 crore purse and nine slots to fill, CSK appear one of the strongest bidders. The exits of Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran have left them without a left-handed batting all-rounder in the top six. Iyer’s ability to open or bat at No.3 aligns with Chepauk’s conditions and CSK’s strategy of valuing Indian multi-role players.

Given their budget and need, CSK could push the bidding into double digits if they view Iyer as a long-term piece.

2. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)

KKR released Iyer after spending a record ₹23.75 crore on him in 2025, a season in which he scored just 142 runs. However, with the highest purse this year — ₹64.3 crore, they remain a major wildcard.

If the auction room cools due to his recent performance dip, KKR may attempt a value buy-back. A price range of ₹8–10 crore could tempt them, provided they still retain flexibility to address their death bowling and finishing issues.

3. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)

RCB’s interest is well documented—they battled KKR deep into the bidding war last season, offering more than ₹23 crore. They have long viewed Iyer as an ideal fit for their Chinnaswamy template: a left-handed top-order option who attacks pace and can bowl a couple of overs.

While he doesn’t solve all their structural gaps, his skills tick enough boxes for RCB to remain active in the contest, assuming the final price stays in a mid-range bracket.

Probable Price Range in IPL 2026 Auction

Iyer enters with the maximum base price for Indians, which filters out casual bidders but increases the risk of limited demand. A realistic bidding range appears to be:

Likely range: ₹8–11 crore

Lower limit: Hard to see him going below ₹6–7 crore

Upper limit: Could touch ₹12 crore if CSK and either RCB or KKR lock horns

Anything significantly higher than this may resemble the IPL 2025 overvaluation, where teams paid for potential rather than current form.

Who Holds the Edge?

CSK: Best tactical fit, clear role, strong purse

RCB: Strong past interest, strategic fit at Chinnaswamy

KKR: Potential opportunistic buy-back if bidding cools

As things stand, CSK appear the most balanced landing spot, with RCB as a serious challenger and KKR waiting to strike only at the right price.