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File photograph - Venkatesh Iyer (Image credit: BCCI/IPL)
NEW DELHI: Venkatesh Iyer’s outing successful the Vijay Hazare Trophy lucifer against Kerala astatine the Narendra Modi Stadium successful Ahmedabad did not unfold the mode galore had anticipated. The infinitesimal the Madhya Pradesh all-rounder walked retired to the middle, expectations were precocious that helium would occurrence successful his trademark assertive style.
Instead, the left-hander endured a little enactment astatine the crease, managing conscionable 8 runs earlier being tally retired by Krishna Prasad.Iyer’s dismissal came aft a costly mix-up with Himanshu Mantri portion attempting a speedy single, leaving him abbreviated of the crease. The aboriginal exit erstwhile again brought absorption connected the 30-year-old, who has been nether scrutiny pursuing an eventful IPL auction cycle.
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Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured Iyer for Rs 7 crore astatine the IPL 2026 mini auction, a important driblet from the Rs 23.75 crore Kolkata Knight Riders had spent to clasp him past season.
The reduced terms tag, however, has not changed perceptions astir his ability, adjacent if his relation astatine RCB remains uncertain.Former India skipper Anil Kumble believes the defending champions are improbable to unreserved Iyer consecutive into the playing eleven astatine the commencement of the season. According to Kumble, RCB are keen to support stableness successful what is already a settled and palmy side, which could mean Iyer whitethorn person to hold for his opportunity.
Former India all-rounder and JioStar adept Sanjay Bangar echoed akin sentiments, acknowledging Iyer’s prime portion pointing retired the situation of breaking into a well-set combination. “He has been consistent, and you tin spot his confidence,” Bangar said, adding that RCB’s coaching and scouting radical presumption Iyer arsenic a semipermanent investment. However, Bangar besides admitted determination is uncertainty astir his contiguous role.
“Will helium beryllium successful the playing eleven close away? There is immoderate doubt, arsenic this is simply a settled team,” helium said.Iyer entered the auction with a basal terms of Rs 2 crore and attracted aboriginal involvement from Lucknow Super Giants earlier Gujarat Titans and his erstwhile franchise KKR joined the bidding. RCB yet emerged palmy to bring him to Bengaluru.Across 56 IPL innings, Iyer has scored 1,468 runs astatine an mean of 29.12, striking astatine implicit 137, with 1 period and 12 half-centuries. His astir caller IPL season, however, was a hard one, yielding conscionable 142 runs successful 7 innings for KKR, contempt his hefty terms tag.
