Venkatesh Iyer was bought at the recent IPL player auction for Rs 23.75 crore, becoming the fourth-most expensive player ever. The 29-year-old KKR all-rounder on why wearing the India jersey matters to him and why it’s vital that players study too. The session was moderated by Deputy Associate Editor Devendra Pandey.
Devendra Pandey: What was your first reaction when you saw teams bidding for you?
Obviously, when you see the paddle getting raised for you, you never want the paddle to stop getting raised. But after a point of time, I actually felt that both RCB and KKR were pushing for me. I think it goes to show how much trust KKR has in me. I was surprised, but at the same time, extremely happy. To be honest, I wanted to play for KKR. If it were in my hands, I would have loved to be retained. But that didn’t happen. I’m really happy that I’m back at KKR.
Devendra Pandey: Venky Mysore (CEO of KKR) said after the auction that you told him: “Boss, if you don’t pick me, I’ll be very sad”. What was that about?
I had a word with him before the announcement of retentions. He was very clear in telling me that ‘we won’t be able to retain you because of the retention rules’ and not because they didn’t want me in KKR. So I told him, ‘Sir, if you have the option, and if you can, please do everything in your power to get me back to KKR’. It kind of worked, didn’t it? It goes to show how much he trusts and believes in me. I’d really like to thank him. Over the years, we have built a wonderful relationship. I actually felt really grateful.
Devendra Pandey: Now with one Iyer (Shreyas) not there, will this Iyer get a chance to become KKR captain? Do you aspire to become one next season?
I’ve always maintained that I want to be a leader in any set-up that I walk into, be it Madhya Pradesh, an IPL team, or even the Indian team. Being a leader, you want to contribute with your ideas, with your suggestions. You don’t really need the captaincy tag for that. So I always want to be a leader in the dressing room. And if captaincy comes my way, it will be an honour to lead such a reputed franchise. Let’s see what’s in store for me.
On Shah Rukh Khan | After the (2024 IPL) final, my mother had come onto the ground and Shah Rukh sir met her and praised me, saying, ‘he’s a very good child’. the happiness I saw in my mother’s eyes, I really cannot forget that moment
Sandeep Dwivedi: Some would see the auction amount of Rs 23 crore as insane or obscene. There have been several cases of young cricketers losing their way… Do you think there is a need for course-correction?
It’s a great thing if people are getting money. Why do we work so hard? To earn well and to lead a good life. It is very important to understand that once the tournament starts, it almost becomes immaterial. You might be a Rs 20 lakh player or a 20 crore player… you still go out there to contribute to the side’s victory. That did not change when I played in IPL 2021, when I was picked for my base price. And that will definitely not change when I play IPL 2025. As for course-correction, people on the outside need to understand what cricketers think… They don’t want to be the talk of the town for the wrong reasons.
Sandeep Dwivedi: I get that the market decides the price of a player, but do you think that big money from the IPL can diminish the drive in a young player to play for India?
I don’t think so. When the Indian team won the (T20) World Cup and came back to India, you saw the reception. Who would not want to be a part of that team! Who would not want to don that blue jersey or the Indian Test jersey. There are certain things beyond money and skills. That’s what makes us love the game so much. And that’s called emotion …that’s passion. When we all started playing cricket, no one had the concept of earning from cricket. What I understood was representing India, being shown on the television, millions cheering for me and me making my country win.
It has now become very normal for people to talk about price tags and money coming into the game and hindering players’ perspectives. But I still feel nothing can match the feeling of representing your country. That is the feeling that neither money nor fame can ever replicate… not even a Rs 23 crore price tag. It does sound big but I can vouch there is no greater feeling than playing for India.
There have been so many moments in my life but the thing I remember the most is that one cover drive that I hit in an India vs South Africa game. There are great moments… I got married, it was wonderful… but the moment that I remember is when I stood there and the national anthem was playing.
Franchise vs country | It has now become very normal for people to talk about price tags and money coming into the game and hindering players’ perspectives. But I feel nothing can match the feeling of representing your country
Shashank Nair: You’ve experienced a steady rise — from going for Rs 20 lakh in your first year at KKR to now. Can you talk about the magnifying effect of the price tag and the pressure it brings?
It is a big jump from where I was yesterday, to where I will be in the future, in terms of bank balance. I’d be lying if I said that there won’t be any pressure of the price tag. We’re all living in a world where social media is very active, where we know people are talking about you, where there are so many analysts talking about you. I’m not someone who will entirely ignore it. But once the IPL starts, it doesn’t matter if you were picked for Rs 20 lakh or Rs 20 crore. You are part of a team, there’ll be a certain role given to you. It’s your duty to try and fulfil that role.
Nihal Koshie: You have completed your MBA and are studying further. What are the challenges of being an active cricketer and pursuing academics at the same time? Any lessons from MBA that help you on the cricket field?
I come from an orthodox family, so it is tough to convince middle-class parents that I will pursue only cricket. But it was the other way around. I was big on academics. My parents wanted me to do well in the game as well. If a new guy walks into the MP (Madhya Pradesh) team, the first thing I ask him is ‘padhai kar rahe ho ki nahi?’ (are you studying or not?). Education will stay with you till you die, a cricketer cannot play till 60. You have to understand that there is a shelf life. After that, if you want to really excel in life, you have to be educated. Academics can give me the perfect switch-off from the game. I don’t want to be thinking of the game all the time, it adds pressure. If I can do two things at the same time, I will. Being an educated person, it helps me make better decisions on the field as well. There will be a situation when it won’t be just about the skill but whether you can make a better decision. I want cricketers to educate themselves not just with cricketing knowledge, but general knowledge as well. If you can complete your graduation or post-graduation, you definitely should. I am pursuing my PhD (finance) now. You will be interviewing me as Dr Venkatesh Iyer next time!
Nihal Koshie: What investment advice would you give a cricketer who has suddenly got crores in an IPL auction? And what do you splurge on?
I think everyone should invest in people. You should invest in a good trainer, a good nutritionist, a good financial consultant and a portfolio manager. I wake up to play cricket, I cannot give you stock market ideas. Let professionals do it. I have invested in a nutritionist named Suraj Thakuria. He is also the nutritionist for Avesh Khan, Ishant Sharma, Khaleel Ahmed. I can see changes in my body. I have invested in a good trainer. I used to splurge. Now I am married, so I need to take care of my expenses.
On Investment plans | You should invest in a good Trainer, a good nutritionist, a good financial consultant and a portfolio manager. I wake up to play cricket, I cannot give you stock market ideas. Let professionals do it.
Devendra Pandey: What’s your personal experience with Shah Rukh Khan? Any moment that you’ll remember for long?
When I think about Shah Rukh sir, it brings a smile to my face… such is the persona. It’s such a great quality to have when you are a superstar, but still able to make people around you feel so comfortable while giving an elder-brotherly vibe. We all had a certain image of Shah Rukh sir in our minds, like he’s the Shah Rukh Khan, the megastar. It’s going to be so tough to be in his presence. But he makes the environment so chill and so friendly that you end up sharing a lot of things with him. He spent a fair bit of time talking to us in this IPL. I remember this game after which he spoke with me for around 45 minutes, there’s no need for an owner to spend time, but he did. That conversation will stay with me for the rest of my life.
But if you ask for a particular moment, I remember after the final, my mother had come onto the ground and Shah Rukh sir met her and praised me, saying, ‘He’s a very good child’. The happiness that I saw in my mother’s eyes, I really cannot forget that moment. It was so beautiful and it was amazing to be in
his presence.
Devendra Pandey: Did you ever show off among your friends that you know Shah Rukh Khan?
I can show off in front of the world that I know Shah Rukh sir. This is actually a matter of flex. When I was there with him, that moment is supposed to be larger than life, the moment is supposed to be grand. But then, the moment was so simple and so aesthetic that there was no feeling that this is the Shah Rukh Khan that everyone loves and admires. There’s so much love and positivity he gives you that you end up loving that human.
Devendra Pandey: You always seem so close yet so far when it comes to an India call-up. Did you speak to the selectors?
Sometimes I do feel that my name should have been there in that list. But again, that’s never in my control. And I’d be the first person to accept that there is scope for improvement. I definitely do need to improve my bowling. What Hardik Pandya brings to the table, or for that matter Nitish Reddy. I really admire Nitish Reddy. He’s one of my favourite cricketers now. If I have to be in that spot, I definitely need to improve my bowling. Once I know that my bowling is on point and I am batting well, I will be in the Indian team.
On the Impact Player Rule | I feel it gives you the opportunity to be more strategic and tactical in your approach. It gives the captain an extra option. Similarly, in terms of batting, if there is a collapse, you still can put in a player and try to get a competitive score
Sandeep Dwivedi: You don’t look too tense when you are at the crease. There is a casualness, in a positive way, about your batting, you don’t seem overawed.
I will take it as a compliment. It’s not that I’m not nervous or anxious. But again, I think it’s about what you are focusing on. If you’re able to narrow it down to just the ball, you’ll be fine. But if you create a zone where there is the crowd, the field set-up, the entire event, you are putting pressure on yourself. I am able to narrow it down to just the pitch… the ball. That makes it easy.
Tushar Bhaduri: IPL has undergone some very technical changes in recent times. The Impact Player rule is one of them. Do you think this new rule changes your role or your game in any way?
It does to an extent. I’ll be the last person to raise a finger on the rule because it gave me the opportunity to play in IPL 2023. I had suffered a broken ankle and it was the Impact Player rule that allowed me to just bat and be off the field. So I can never be against that rule. A lot of people talk about all-rounders not getting a go with the Impact Player rule. Yes, it will not allow you if you are a one-over or a two-over bowler. But the Impact Player rule never stopped Hardik Pandya from bowling four overs or Andre Russell or Sunil Narine from bowling their full quota. So, if you are a proper all-rounder, if you have the skill set to bowl the four overs, the Impact Player rule doesn’t
matter at all.
I actually feel it gives you the opportunity to be more strategic and tactical in your approach. It gives the captain an extra option to try. Similarly, in terms of batting, if at all there is a collapse, you still can put in a player and try and get to a competitive score which your five bowlers have to defend. So, I really feel it is an opportunity for coaches and captains to be more tactical. Yes, to an extent, it is halting the growth of all-rounders but, I really feel on the flip side, it gives you the opportunity to brush up your all-round skills. You have to develop yourself into a four-over bowler. Then you will end up getting two or three overs.
Sandeep Dwivedi: Last IPL season was very significant. KKR and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) redefined T20 batting. That fast-scoring method was also seen in India’s approach during the T20 World Cup.
Yes, obviously there is a transition in the game, there’s a change in the way the game is played. SRH showed a way where they would maximise the powerplay and still keep going. But this also gives an opportunity for players to brush up their skills. This never stopped Jasprit Bumrah from bowling four overs for 20 runs and taking two wickets. That never stopped Sunil Narine or Varun Chakravarthy from bowling at six and seven runs per over. So for both bowlers as well as batsmen, you have got to keep getting better. It is not about everyone going there and hitting. I remember a game against Mumbai Indians, where we lost early wickets. I got a 50-ball 70 and played the role of the anchor. Once in a while, you’ll always get those games where your basics will be tested. It is when your mental strength is tested more than your skill. In a cricket match, every team wants their players to contribute in different facets of the game. No team would want their players to go and hit every ball out of the park. That is not cricket. But again, in every game, there will be different roles that will be asked of players. And as cricketers, you need to adapt and accept that role.
Tushar Bhaduri: When you take the field in IPL 2025, would you be using the tournament as a stepping stone to get back into the Indian team? Is that in your thinking?
Practically, yes. But I won’t be thinking about it. You don’t want to carry unnecessary baggage. That’s the mistake I made back in 2022. Sitting in the IPL, I was thinking about the (T20) World Cup that year. What that does is it takes away from your present. Already there is so much pressure on cricketers. If you add one more pressure to it, it will not allow your performance to come out. So, the fact that the IPL is a stepping stone to get back into the Indian team is absolutely true. And I respect that fact. But I won’t be thinking about it, for sure.
