Follow UsAs many as 22 batters scored more runs in the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) than Venkatesh Iyer, yet, come the mega auction, it was Iyer who turned out to be one of the most sought-after players. As it turned out, the left-hander ended up fetching a head-turning ₹23.75 cr, becoming the third-most expensive player at the IPL 2025 auction.
In terms of raw numbers (volume), the left-hander did not make inroads in IPL 2024, but he was second to none in terms of playing impactful cameos: Iyer crossed the 25-run mark seven times in the season, and all but two of these knocks came at a strike rate over 150.00.
Batting predominantly at No.3, he injected momentum into the innings by taking the bowlers on and that went a long way in helping KKR dominate the competition en route to their third IPL title.
In an interview with ESPNCricinfo, the 30-year-old spoke about his mindset, and explained why he only cares about ‘impact’ and not numbers.
“I feel consistency is the key. People do give some standout performances, but it's very important for you to be consistent in terms of the contributions you make,” Iyer told ESPNCricinfo.
“It is always misunderstood with the facts: how many runs you have scored, how many wickets you have taken. But I don't think it's about that. Consistency should be in terms of the impact you have created on a particular team - that might be just playing 15 balls in the powerplay and scoring those 30 runs or anchoring the innings when needed or chipping in with an over or two or giving suggestions to the captain or fielding in hot spots.
“These all come under "impact". I play cricket to create an impact on whichever team I'm playing for. I'm not big on a lot of runs and wickets. I feel that small contributions and impact on the game is what makes a team win a tournament,” he added.
Iyer further highlighted his point by citing the cases of two players, Ramandeep Singh (for KKR in IPL 2024) and Suryansh Shedge (for Mumbai in SMAT 2024/25). Ramandeep faced only 62 balls in IPL 2024 but smashed 17 of those balls to the boundary, scoring 125 runs at a strike rate of 201.61.
Meanwhile, Shedge, who was bought by Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the IPL 2025 mega auction, was Mumbai’s MVP in their SMAT triumph this year, where he scored 131 runs at a strike rate of 252, consistently playing invaluable cameos down the order.
“I don't know how many runs Suryansh Shedge scored [in the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy]. I don't think he scored 400-500 runs, but he had a massive impact,” Iyer said.
“Everyone knows him now. Everyone knows that he was the one who gave Mumbai that edge over the others.In the last IPL, Ramandeep Singh did not score 300-350 runs [he made 125 runs at a strike rate of 201.61 for KKR], but the impact he had on the team was massive and look at what he's got: an India cap.
“So I don't think that impact goes unnoticed, but again, it is up to you to understand what kind of impact you have to create.”
KKR appointing Chandrakant Pandit, MP’s head coach, as the side’s head coach proved to be a game-changer for Iyer. In the same interview, he recalled a valuable lesson he learned from Pandit.
“In domestic cricket, Chandu sir is big on the fact that if you have made the game for your side, you better finish it. Don't leave it for others to finish,” Iyer recalled.
“[Once] despite my scoring a solid 50, Chandu sir scolded me because I did not finish the game. In that moment it feels really bad that I have scored so many runs, so why am I not being appreciated, but in hindsight, I feel what he said is absolutely correct.
“If you have set up the game, you apply the finishing touches, you don't leave it for others. What if that person fails? What if it's not his day? That's a big, big lesson I've learned from Chandu Pandit sir.”
Iyer, earlier this month, was appointed the vice-captain of KKR for IPL 2025.
