Published: Mar 13, 2025, 10:57 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 13, 2025, 10:57 PM (IST)
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) star all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer, who is also the newly appointed vice-captain has stated that he cannot ignore the scrutiny that surround his IPL price of Rs. 23.75 crore, but will now make sure to complete the responsibilities and not let the pressure get to him.
The left-handed batter, who also is a medium-pace bowler earned 11 times what he put as his base price during the IPL 2025 mega-auction, as he got the deal for Rs. 23.75 crore. KKR had went all-out with a bidding war with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and even used a RTM card in order to bring Iyer towards their side.
“Obviously, you can’t ignore it altogether. It exists. Wherever I go, I get asked about it,” Iyer said at their pre-season media interaction at Eden Gardens.
“So, it is existent, right? But for me, it’s about absorbing it and still trying to fulfill the responsibility that has been given to me. But when the IPL will start, it really doesn’t matter. You are a part of a playing XI. You are a part of a team that is going out there to win,” he said.
“It really doesn’t matter for what price you were picked or what is expected out of you. If you are taking the field for a side, you will be expected to do well. And to do well, I feel, it’s not just the number of runs that you score or the number of wickets you pick it’s about how you carry yourself on to the field,” he further added.
“It will be selection, it will be batting in multiple positions, bowling, fielding, everything. The pressure will still be there. But I think it’s up to me how I absorb that pressure,” he concluded.
Kolkata Knight Riders, the reigning champions, will begin their campaign in the 2025 edition of the T20 tournament against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on March 22.
