India all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer made headlines on Sunday with a bold statement suggesting he could lead the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 2025 IPL season. This comes after the franchise secured him for a staggering ₹23.75 crore at the IPL Auction 2025, held at the Abadi Al Johar Arena in Jeddah.
KKR’s acquisition of Venkatesh for ₹23.75 crore sparked debate among fans and analysts, with many questioning the decision to release IPL-winning captain Shreyas Iyer before the auction.
The franchise briefly pursued Shreyas during the bidding war, but withdrew after their final bid of ₹9.75 crore. Shreyas was eventually snapped up by Punjab Kings for ₹26.75 crore.
Venkatesh’s record-breaking signing underscores KKR’s commitment to revamp their squad and identify a strong leader for the upcoming season.
The 29 years old all-rounder expressed his willingness to lead KKR if entrusted with the responsibility. Drawing from his experience as vice-captain in the 2023 season and as a stand-in captain during Nitish Rana’s injury, Venkatesh highlighted his readiness for the role.
“I had the opportunity to captain the side in Nitish Rana’s absence when he was unfortunately injured, and I was the vice-captain as well,” said Venkatesh.
“I’ve always believed that captaincy is just a tag, but leadership is about creating an environment where everyone feels they can play for this team and contribute. If given the responsibility, I would be more than happy to take it on.”
With no confirmed captain for IPL 2025, KKR is evaluating its options. Venkatesh Iyer’s substantial price tag and leadership experience make him a strong contender for the role.
