Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally got their man at the IPL 2026 auction. They signed Venkatesh Iyer for ₹7 crore after a tense bidding battle. Kolkata Knight Riders tried hard to keep him but eventually backed out.
The auction took place in Abu Dhabi on December 16, 2025. RCB and KKR went back and forth raising their paddles repeatedly. But RCB wanted Venkatesh Iyer badly and didn’t stop until they won him.
This price marks a massive drop from what he earned before though. Last year’s auction saw KKR paying him a hefty ₹23.75 crore contract. His value crashed by ₹16.75 crore which shocked many cricket fans watching live.
Why His Price Dropped So Much
Venkatesh Iyer struggled really badly during his time with KKR last season. He scored only 142 runs across several matches which disappointed everyone. His batting average was just 20.28 and his strike rate stood at 139.21 only.
KKR didn’t even give him a single chance to bowl during matches. That hurt his reputation as an all-rounder who can do both jobs. Teams want players who contribute in multiple ways to justify big salaries nowadays.
RCB actually tried grabbing him in the previous auction too but failed then. This time, they succeeded and brought Venky Iyer to Bengaluru finally. The franchise believes it can help him rediscover his best form again.
Recent Performances Showed Promise
Venkatesh Iyer played really well in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy recently. He smashed 141 runs in 9 matches with a strike rate of over 105.22. Those innings proved he still has plenty of talent left in him.
His overall record in the tournament looks pretty decent across 62 games. Venky Iyer has scored 1,468 runs at an average of 29.95 so far. His career strike rate of 137.32 shows he can push when needed badly.
The IPL 2026 auction proved that player values change quickly in this league. One bad season can drop your price dramatically, as it happened here. RCB got a quality player at a bargain price this time around.
