IPL 2026: Venkatesh Iyer stays patient amid limited chances at RCB

BENGALURU: Behind the calm, composed exterior of Venkatesh Iyer lies a cricketer clear in thought, confident in his craft and unwavering in his team-first approach.

Over five seasons, Iyer featured in 62 matches for Kolkata Knight Riders before being released and picked up by Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the mini-auction for Rs 7 crore —Rs 16.75 crore less than his previous price. The move has also brought a shift in role. From being a regular at KKR, the all-rounder has featured in just one game in RCB’s first six matches of the season, spending most of his time on the sidelines.

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While it is an unfamiliar situation, Iyer has taken it in his stride.

“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,” Iyer said during a select media interaction here on Wednesday.

He attributes his limited opportunities to a settled combination: “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 transition, according to Iyer, has been made easy by the clarity offered by the coaching staff.

“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.

Staying mentally ready, however, is the real challenge.

“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.

“I train my mind in such a way that I'm going to play every game,” Iyer added.

THE KKR CONNECT

KKR letting go of him, Iyer admitted to being hurt, but team dynamics, he believes, was the reason for it.