India all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer has spoken out about the heavy criticism he faced over his massive ₹23.75 crore IPL 2025 price tag. Despite a disappointing season with Kolkata Knight Riders, he insists he remains focused on personal growth and team commitment.
Price Tag Pressure Followed Him Everywhere
From the moment KKR spent ₹23.75 crore on him in the mega auction, the spotlight never left Venkatesh Iyer. On social media, fans questioned the decision, especially after KKR bid only up to ₹10 crore for former captain Shreyas Iyer. The scrutiny intensified as his form dipped.
Cutting Out the Noise
The left-hander admitted that the constant talk about his price tag became overwhelming. Runs were hard to come by, and he scored only 142 runs in 11 matches at a strike rate of 139. Apart from one match-winning 60, his season was largely forgettable. Eventually, he deleted some contacts to block negativity.
“People who had these questions are not even on my contact list. So why think about them?” Iyer told Sportskeeda. “It’s my life, my game, my career. My team chose to spend this much on me, and I’m answerable only to those who matter.”
Backing From KKR Management
Despite being dropped for a couple of games, Iyer says KKR’s management never lost faith. CEO Venky Mysore reassured him that once a team is built with 120 auction units, the spending breakdown stops mattering.
Season Full of Learnings
Iyer believes the 2025 campaign was a season of learning, even if KKR missed the playoffs. “Good or bad, winning or losing, the learnings are constant,” he said. “It’s not about the money, it’s about where I fit in the team’s plans.”