"He had a lot of attitude" - Abhishek Nayar reveals how Venkatesh Iyer impressed KKR in trails

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) head coach Abhishek Nayar recalled an incident from all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer’s trials ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 season. Nayar said that it wasn’t just Iyer’s ability with the bat or ball that drew attention, but the confidence he carried from the moment he walked in.

Iyer was released by Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction, which is set to take place in Abu Dhabi on December 16. Notably, KKR bought him for a whopping ₹23.75 crore during last year's mega auction. The three-time champions have the biggest purse of ₹64.30 crore for the upcoming IPL auction.

I Actually Picked Him Because Of His Attitude - Abhishek Nayar

Abhishek Nayar revealed that Venkatesh Iyer walked in with confidence during the pre-auction trials. Nayar recalled that the all-rounder didn’t try to impress anyone but backed his game with a natural swagger.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

“I actually picked him because of his attitude. On day one, Venkatesh Iyer walked in with swagger; he performed, but he never looked at us or tried to please anyone. I thought he was someone with a lot of attitude,” KKR’s then assistant coach Nayar said on Doordarshan's The Great Indian Cricket Show.

Venkatesh made his IPL debut for KKR in 2021. He scored 370 runs in just 10 innings, including four half-centuries. The all-rounder chipped in with a few crucial breakthroughs, taking three wickets at an average of 23. Following his impressive season, the franchise retained him ahead of the mega auction.

I Loved Venkatesh Iyer’s Willingness To Face Adversity - Abhishek Nayar

Abhishek Nayar said that Iyer immediately offered to take the ball when a bowler went down with cramps before the final over. Nayar added that although he ended up giving away 18 runs, it was his confidence and willingness to take responsibility that left a strong impression on him.

“On day two, we gave him a game. In the final over, when our bowler cramped, Venky shouted from the boundary, ‘I will bowl the last over’. He bowled and conceded 18 runs, but what I loved was his willingness to face adversity,” Nayar recalled.

“The trial mattered less to him than proving to himself that he was doing the right thing. That conviction stayed with me,” he further added.

Venkatesh Iyer’s Form Raises Doubts Over KKR Future

Venkatesh Iyer couldn’t live up to expectations during the 2025 season. He scored only 142 runs in 11 matches, his lowest tally since his debut. KKR had invested heavily in him, both through retentions and big auction bids, and his dip in form has now raised doubts about whether the franchise will try to bring him back.

In the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Iyer has scored just 111 runs from seven outings at a strike rate a little above 100. He scored an unbeaten 55 against Bihar at Eden Gardens. With the ball, he has taken only two wickets in six innings.

It remains unclear if KKR will enter another bidding battle for him, or whether the franchise will finally move on after years of backing the all-rounder.

Also read: "Calm isn’t silence" - Smriti Mandhana’s post after calling off wedding goes viral on social media