**Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Release Venkatesh Iyer Ahead of IPL 2026 Auction**
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) made a significant move ahead of the IPL 2026 auction by releasing Venkatesh Iyer. The left-handed batsman was acquired for a massive ₹23.75 crore during the mega auction before IPL 2025. However, following a below-par performance, his release was widely anticipated considering the hefty price tag.
In IPL 2025, Venkatesh Iyer appeared in 11 matches but managed to score just 142 runs across seven innings, averaging 20.28 with a strike rate of 139.21. Additionally, he bowled only a single over throughout the tournament, limiting his all-round impact.
### Fan Reactions to Venkatesh Iyer’s Release
The decision to release Iyer garnered mixed reactions on social media. While many fans supported KKR’s management for making the tough call, some speculated that defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) might target him in the upcoming auction. Notably, RCB had engaged in a fierce bidding war with KKR for the 30-year-old during the previous auction.
One fan tweeted,
“Rcb ko bus kkr kaa ekk player chahiye venkatesh iyer Or kuch nahi ✌😎”
(Translation: RCB only needs one player from KKR, and that’s Venkatesh Iyer, nothing else.)
Another user emphasized the importance of smart spending:
“This move was necessary in the interest of the team. The only request is that choose the players at the table. If you predecide to take someone, you end up wasting your purse by unnecessarily investing in that player, and buying an overpriced player can disrupt the team’s balance.”
Additional fan reactions included:
– “Khushi toh Venkatesh Iyer k release hone ki hai 😌💁🏻♀️”
– “Iss baar Venkatesh Iyer 10 cr ke under hi mil jayega” (This time, Venkatesh Iyer will be available under ₹10 crore.)
– “I would have been surprised if they hadn’t released Venkatesh Iyer. He was a good for nothing player for that amount.”
– “24 cr for Venkatesh Iyer was nonsense honestly. And they might try Russell again at the auction. I think it’s a good release list!”
### Other Players Released by KKR
Alongside Venkatesh Iyer, KKR parted ways with several other players ahead of IPL 2026, including Luvnith Sisodia, Quinton De Kock, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Moeen Ali, Andre Russell, Mayank Markande (traded), Chetan Sakariya, Anrich Nortje, and Spencer Johnson.
### Will KKR Look to Reacquire Venkatesh Iyer at a Lower Price?
Although releasing Venkatesh Iyer was expected due to his underwhelming performance, KKR’s decision to offload such a high-profile player came as a surprise to some. There remains a possibility that the franchise may try to buy him back at a more reasonable price during the 2026 auction.
When KKR clinched their third IPL title in 2024, Iyer had played a vital role with the bat. That season, he scored 370 runs in 13 innings at an impressive average of 46.25 and a striking strike rate of 158.79, including four half-centuries.
To date, in 62 IPL matches, Venkatesh Iyer has amassed 1,468 runs at an average of 29.95 and a strike rate of 137.32, with one century and 12 half-centuries to his name.
—
Stay tuned for more updates on IPL 2026, live scores, match schedules, points tables, and player auctions involving all franchises including CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, and PBKS.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/news-rcb-ko-bus-kkr-kaa-ekk-player-chahiye-venkatesh-iyer-fans-react-kkr-s-massive-release-ahead-ipl-2026-auction