'KKR may buy Venkatesh Iyer back' - Former national selector's bold prediction ahead of IPL 2026 mini-auction
"He was released at 23 crores, which freed up a huge amount in their budget, and chances are high that he may not go for that much money now in the mini-auction," Saba Karim said about Venkatesh Iyer.
Former India wicketkeeper and national selector Saba Karim explained what kind of players Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) can target at the IPL 2026 mini-auction, which is slated to be held on December 16.
Karim opined that KKR might look to re-sign Venkatesh Iyer during the event in Abu Dhabi. The southpaw was roped in by KKR at the IPL 2025 mega-auction last year for a whopping INR 23.75 crore. However, after a disappointing season, in which he scored just 142 runs in 11 matches at an average of 20.29, the left-handed batter was released from the squad.
Karim believes that KKR released Venkatesh as they feel that the Madhya Pradesh all-rounder will not go for a huge amount in the mini-auction. The cricketer-turned-expert reckons that this was KKR head coach Abhishek Nayar's decision.
“There is a strong possibility that KKR may buy him back. He was released at 23 crores, which freed up a huge amount in their budget, and chances are high that he may not go for that much money now in the mini-auction. This is a classic Abhishek Nayar move because he always wants to start fresh," Karim said while analysing the move on JioHotstar.
“He only keeps players he believes are part of a winning combination and will be regulars in the playing eleven. The rest, he buys back in the auction. I think he will build his team that way. I’ve always seen Abhishek Nayar work like this. So I feel the KKR management believes that maybe Venkatesh Iyer has exhausted his utility, similar to how they valued Andre Russell for years," he added.
They will have many options in the auction: Karim
Karim also mentioned that KKR will need to look for a wicketkeeper who could open the batting, especially after releasing Rahmanullah Gurbaz. The 58-year-old also stated that the three-time champions need an explosive power hitter in the lower middle order.
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“They did not retain Rahmanullah Gurbaz. That means they need an opening batter. If that player can also be a wicketkeeper, it will be beneficial for KKR. They will have many options in the auction. They also need an explosive power hitter for the lower middle order. I think filling these two spots will be the most important thing for KKR in the upcoming auction," he added.
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