Anil Kumble Predicts Venkatesh Iyer's Role in RCB's IPL Squad

In a recent discussion, Anil Kumble expressed his views on Venkatesh Iyer's chances of making it into the Royal Challengers Bangalore's starting lineup for the upcoming IPL season. He highlighted the importance of maintaining a stable team dynamic and suggested that Iyer may not fit into the initial eleven. Former all-rounder Sanjay Bangar also weighed in, noting Iyer's consistent performance and potential. The article delves into Iyer's auction journey and past performances, raising questions about his future role in the team. Read on to discover more about this intriguing cricket narrative.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 26, 2025, 19:04 IST

Kumble's Insights on RCB's Lineup

Former Indian cricketer Anil Kumble believes that all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer will not be part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) starting lineup. He suggests that the reigning champions would prefer to maintain the integrity of their winning team without introducing any uncertainties. After a mixed performance with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) last season, RCB acquired this all-rounder from Madhya Pradesh for ₹7 crore during the mini-auction ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

Kumble Discusses Team Strategy

While discussing the 'Tata IPL Auction Review', Kumble elaborated on the decision to retain the team's key spinners, stating that Iyer is unlikely to make it into the initial playing eleven. He emphasized the importance of not creating doubts within a winning team. Kumble speculated that this might be why RCB did not bid for Ravi Bishnoi, ensuring that SuYash Sharma would not feel threatened by a senior Indian spinner. He praised the team's strategy of supporting core players while keeping backup options ready for any unforeseen circumstances.

Sanjay Bangar's Take on Iyer

Additionally, former Indian all-rounder and JioStar expert Sanjay Bangar noted that Iyer has been under scrutiny since last season. He highlighted Iyer's consistent performance and visible confidence. With batting coach Dinesh Karthik and talent scout Malolan Rangarajan recognizing his potential, the question remains whether he will secure a spot in the playing eleven immediately. Bangar expressed some skepticism, given the team's stability, but acknowledged that they needed a left-handed batsman, which Iyer could fulfill, similar to how Krunal Pandya was integrated last season.

Iyer's Auction Journey

Iyer was auctioned with a base price of ₹2 crore, with Lucknow Super Giants making the initial bid. Gujarat Titans also entered the fray after a brief pause. The bidding war intensified when Iyer's former team, KKR, joined the competition. Ultimately, RCB succeeded in signing the all-rounder. In his IPL career spanning 56 innings, Iyer has amassed 1,468 runs at an average of 29.12 and a strike rate exceeding 137, including one century and twelve half-centuries. Last year, KKR had re-signed him for ₹23.75 crore, but his performance was disappointing, scoring only 142 runs in seven innings at an average of just over 20.