Cricketer Venkatesh Iyer (PTI Photo/Kamal Kishore) Former India captain Anil Kumble has hinted that Venkatesh Iyer may not feature in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s XI at the start of the upcoming IPL season, with the defending champions looking to maintain stability in the established side. RCB secured the Madhya Pradesh all-rounder for Rs seven crore in the IPL mini-auction, a stark contrast to the Rs 23.75 crore Kolkata Knight Riders paid to retain him last season. Despite the cut price, Kumble believes RCB are unlikely to rush Iyer into the playing XI.
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Speaking on TATA IPL Auction Review as a JioStar expert, Kumble said that the franchise’s approach was aimed at continuity rather than immediate change. “Venkatesh Iyer will not be in the starting eleven. You don’t want to create doubt in a winning team,” Kumble said. He also linked RCB’s auction strategy with their desire to support younger players already in the team. Kumble pointed out that the decision to non-aggressively pursue Ravi Bishnoi so that Suyash Sharma continues to feel credible. “They didn’t go for Ravi Bishnoi so Suyash Sharma wouldn’t feel threatened by the senior Indian spinner,” he explained. Former India all-rounder and fellow JioStar pundit Sanjay Bangar shared a similar assessment, acknowledging Iyer’s quality while highlighting the challenge of breaking into a settled unit. “He has been consistent and you can see his confidence,” Bangar said, adding that RCB’s coaching and scouting group sees long-term value in the all-rounder. However, Bangar admitted that there is uncertainty over Iyer’s immediate role. “Will he be in the eleven right away? There are certain doubts because it is a settled team,” he said. Bangar noted that RCB are specifically looking to add left-handed options and now have the flexibility to introduce Iyer gradually, as they did with Krunal Pandya last season. “Krunal played well so the lack of top players was not felt. Suyash Sharma had a good season,” he added. Iyer entered the auction with a base price of Rs 2 lakh, attracting early interest from Lucknow Super Giants before Gujarat Titans and his former franchise KKR joined the bidding. RCB eventually won the competition to bring the all-rounder to Bengaluru. In 56 IPL innings, Iyer has scored 1,468 runs at an average of 29.12, over 137, with one century and 12 half-centuries. However, his last season was a difficult one as he managed just 142 runs in seven innings for KKR despite his high price tag. RCB further strengthened their squad in the auction by signing left-handed pacer and lower-order batsman Mangesh Yadav for Rs 5.2 crore, England wicketkeeper-batsman Jordan Cox, 18-year-old Satvik Deswal for Rs 30 crore, Under-19 players Vihaan Malhotra and Kanishk and two New Zealand quicks Dcrouff at base price.
