Venkatesh Iyer Joins RCB for ₹7 Crores in IPL Mini Auction
Venkatesh Iyer's Move to RCB
In the recent IPL mini auction, all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer was acquired by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for ₹7 crores. Initially, he was up for grabs at a base price of ₹2 crores. The bidding kicked off with Lucknow Super Giants making their first move, followed by Gujarat Titans joining the competition after a brief pause. The excitement escalated when Iyer's previous team, Kolkata Knight Riders, entered the fray. Ultimately, RCB secured the Madhya Pradesh all-rounder.
Iyer's Performance Overview
Iyer boasts a total of 1,468 runs in the IPL, averaging 29.12 with a strike rate exceeding 137, including one century and 12 fifties across 56 innings. Last season, he was re-signed by KKR for ₹23.75 crores but struggled, managing only 142 runs in seven innings at an average above 20 and a strike rate close to 140, with just one fifty. In T20 matches, he has accumulated 3,179 runs in 144 games, averaging 34.18 with a strike rate of 138.63, featuring one century and 18 fifties, alongside 55 wickets at an average over 25. In the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025/26, he has scored 211 runs at an average of 26.37, with a strike rate over 119 and two fifties in 11 matches.
Hasaranga's Reunion with Tom Moody
Wanindu Hasaranga has reunited with Tom Moody at Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), signing for his base price of ₹2 crores. The two previously collaborated at Desert Vipers in the ILT20.
Hasaranga's T20 Achievements
In the IPL, Hasaranga has taken 46 wickets in 37 matches for RCB and Rajasthan Royals (RR), averaging over 24 with two four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul. As a prominent figure in global T20 cricket, he has scored 2,463 runs in 238 matches at an average of 17.10 and a strike rate of 142.53, including nine fifties, and has claimed 332 wickets at an average of 17.46, with best figures of 6/9. For Sri Lanka, he has amassed 773 runs in 90 T20Is at a strike rate exceeding 126, with two fifties, and taken 146 wickets at an average over 15.
Notable All-Rounders Remain Unsold
New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra went unsold during the auction. Previously with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), his lackluster performance led to his release before the auction. Similarly, England's Liam Livingstone also went unsold despite a respectable IPL record of 1,051 runs at an average of 26.27, including seven fifties and 13 wickets in 49 matches for RR, PBKS, and RCB. Livingstone was part of RCB's title-winning squad last year but underperformed with just 112 runs in eight matches, including one fifty and two wickets. Other unsold players included England's Gus Atkinson, South Africa's Wiaan Mulder, and Indian all-rounder Deepak Hooda.