IPL Auction 2025: "Worst buy of all-time" - Fans react to KKR acquiring Venkatesh Iyer for INR 23.75 crore

The 29-year-old Madhya Pradesh all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer was in high demand in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction at the Abady Al-Johar Arena in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

On day one of the event on Sunday, November 24, Venkatesh Iyer became the most expensive all-rounder in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) auctions.

Also Read: IPL Auction 2025: Rift between Ricky Ponting & Shreyas Iyer? PBKS coach drops 'didn't answer my call' bombshell

KKR splash INR 23.75 to reacquire

Venkatesh Iyer had set INR 2 crore as his base price after being released by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The Kolkata-based franchise placed the opening bid for the all-rounder and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) soon joined the battle.

The paddles were steadily lifted by LSG and KKR and the former pulled out of the race at INR 7.75 crore. However, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru joined the bidding war, and there was intense competition between the franchises.

In the end, Kolkata Knight Riders managed to rope in the all-rounder for INR 23.75 crore as Royal Challengers Bengaluru dropped out at the last moment.

Notably, Venkatesh Iyer has been a key performer for the Kolkata Knight Riders and in 51 Indian Premier League matches, he has scored 1326 runs while picking up 3 wickets.

Since the introduction of the impact player rule, Iyer has not been given a lot of opportunities to bowl, but he possesses the ability to get wickets for his team at crucial moments. Also, there is a possibility of him getting the captaincy with KKR head coach Chandrakant Pandit and the all-rounder sharing a 'Madhya Pradesh' connection.

Here's how fans reacted after KKR broke the bank for Venkatesh Iyer:

VENKTESH IYER 💥 Well done @KKRiders @venkateshiyer Happy for you buddy

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) November 24, 2024

Just switched on the tv and saw Venkatesh Iyer sold for 23.75 cr. In this economy???

— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) November 24, 2024

KKR showed Blind Trust for Clutch Venkatesh Iyer and bought at 23.75 Crore

Hope you will have blast in IPL 2025 with more CONSISTENCY bhai🤞 @venkateshiyer pic.twitter.com/eosRyUOPaH

— कट्टर KKR समर्थक 🦁🇮🇳 ™ (@KKRWeRule) November 24, 2024

I am staggered at the price KKR paid for Venkatesh Iyer, 23.75 crores!
RCB also went quite far, but they had 20 crores more in their purse.

— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) November 24, 2024

KKR vs RCB 20 cr bidding war for "Venkatesh Iyer" pic.twitter.com/Jr77y4BDm7

— mutthu (@30thMay2023) November 24, 2024

It’s hard to understand how Venkatesh Iyer went for 23.75 crores, especially with the impact player rule still on. Absolutely bonkers! #IPLAuction

— Mohsin Kamal (@64MohsinKamal) November 24, 2024

So many misses for RCB - No KL Rahul, no Starc. Went all-out for Venkatesh Iyer but lost out to KKR. Didn't go for Stoinis. Should now ho for Salt/Kishan/Marsh/Maxwell #IPL2025 #IPLAuction

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) November 24, 2024

Never expected Venkatesh Iyer to go for 23.75 crore but that's the beauty of IPL auction. Very unpredictable. pic.twitter.com/aWgUUyIkVX

— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) November 24, 2024

23.75cr for Venkatesh Iyer is way too much. I understand the demand supply thing but this was weird.

— Jaanvi🏏 (@that_shutterbug) November 24, 2024

I love Venkatesh Iyer but we’re fucked now. We cant buy good players now with just 28cr purse. Forget Nitish Rana & Salt now.

— Syed Irfan Ahmad (@Iam_SyedIrfan) November 24, 2024

Worst buy of all time in the history of IPL ever
Venkatesh iyer

— Tejas kaushik (@Tejaskaushik9) November 24, 2024

I love Venkatesh Iyer but we’re fucked now. We cant buy good players now with just 28cr purse. Forget Nitish Rana & Salt now.

— Syed Irfan Ahmad (@Iam_SyedIrfan) November 24, 2024

23.75cr for Venkatesh Iyer is bonkers. In the impact player era.

Not even sure what RCB/KKR were doing there. Beyond my pay scale this one! #ipl2025auction

— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) November 24, 2024

How Much Money Teams Had Heading Into Auction

Ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, each team had a starting budget of INR 120 crore, but the retention of the players significantly influenced their remaining purse.

Punjab Kings entered the auction with the most purse, boasting an impressive INR 110.5 crore to build the squad from scratch.

Following them were the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, with INR 83 crore in their purse, positioning themselves well to make bold moves.

Delhi Capitals had INR 73 crore at their disposal, while the Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants shared an identical budget of INR 69 crore.

The Chennai Super Kings, known for their measured auction strategies, had INR 55 crore left in their kitty. Kolkata Knight Riders followed closely with INR 51 crore purse.

Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad were on equal footing with INR 45 crore each, while Rajasthan Royals had the smallest purse of INR 41 crore.