BENGALURU: Behind Venkatesh Iyer’s composed demeanour, there is a cricketer who thinks clearly, trusts his abilities, and continues to put his side first. After spending more than four years with Kolkata Knight Riders, his IPL journey has taken a new turn—one that has changed both his rhythm and his role.
Across five seasons, Iyer appeared in 62 matches for KKR before the franchise released him. At the mini-auction, Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured his services for Rs 7 crore, a figure that is Rs 16.75 crore lower than his previous price. The switch has also altered how he is being used. At KKR he was a regular, but in RCB’s opening six matches of the season, he has been involved in only one game, with long stretches spent watching from the sidelines.
Though it is not the situation he is accustomed to, Iyer has tried to approach it calmly. “It definitely plays on the mind. I’m not used to sitting out, but that’s okay. This is a professional sport. As someone who places the team above everything else, it’s my duty to adhere to the environment,” he said during a media interaction in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
Iyer believes his reduced involvement is tied to a settled XI. “We’re defending champions. So to tinker with a combination that has won you a championship is not always the smartest move. So as someone who’s walked into a team, it’s my duty to first understand the dynamics of the team and to know what role I can play,” the southpaw added.
The all-rounder also pointed to the influence of the coaching group in smoothing the transition. “Credit for that has to go to Mo [Bobat], Andy [Flower], and DK [Dinesh Karthik]. They’ve been amazing when it comes to conversations about what my role in the team is. They’ve given me absolute clarity. And sitting outside does not mean that I’m not a part of their plans. It’s definitely a matter of when rather than if,” the 31-year-old said.
Still, maintaining the right mindset is where the toughest work lies. “To be honest, it’s hard. It’s something that you can’t prepare for. But I’m a practical person, I know how things work. When I look at the team, I know that there’s a realistic chance that I can be benched. It’s extremely important to stay motivated, as you can easily become desperate. You can easily lose out on your work ethic,” he stated.
To counter that risk, Iyer has adopted a disciplined approach. “I train my mind in such a way that I’m going to play every game,” he added.
THE KKR CONNECT
When KKR decided to move him on, Iyer admitted it did sting, even if he understands the reasoning. He credited communication with the then coach, Abhishek Nayar, for making the decision clearer. “I did feel bad, but there was amazing communication between Abhishek Nayar (then KKR coach) and me. He wanted to release me and told me what the team requires, and you can get anything done out of me if it’s good for the team,” Iyer said.
THE RED BALL ROMANTIC
Amid the glamour of the IPL, one habit Iyer refuses to drop: keeping a red ball in his kit bag. The medium pacer has played 34 first-class matches, has bowled more than 220 overs, and has taken 20 wickets. However, he feels his best work in the longer format is still ahead.
Iyer, who was not part of the Madhya Pradesh squad during their latest Ranji Trophy title in 2021-22, is determined to sharpen his red-ball bowling. “One thing that I really feel that I haven’t tapped into, and I have the ability to do, is my red ball bowling. I believe that I can contribute extensively with my red ball. So I make it a point, whichever team I go to, I try to identify someone who has played a lot of red ball cricket. Last year, I had Mitchell Starc (in KKR). This year, I have Josh Hazlewood. My conversations with them are about how I can improve my red ball bowling.”
With the Impact Player rule restricting how often he can bowl in the IPL, Iyer has adjusted his expectations. “I know I won’t be bowling four overs. If I get two overs, it’s going to be a lucky day for me,” he admitted.
Even with limited overs available, the desire to prove himself remains strong—and it is linked to a wider dream. “I have conversations with Hazlewood as to how to improve my red ball bowling because I want to go back home and win the Ranji Trophy for Madhya Pradesh once again. I know that I can do it with the ball in hand. So every year I turn up [for the IPL], I have a red ball in my kit bag. I make it a point that I take a couple of sessions of fast bowling with a Test legend.”
For now, Iyer continues in a familiar routine of patience and preparation, waiting for the moment his opportunity arrives while staying sharp for when his name is called.
