Venkatesh Iyer

MI vs KKR: Venkatesh Iyer – MI’s nightmare returns?

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 12:32:33 GMT

Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) attacking all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer has been a continuous match-winner against Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). With a strong record against the five-time champions, Iyer has been a tough match-up for MI's bowling attack. As KKR prepares to play MI at Wankhede tonight, everyone will be watching Iyer to see if he can continue his impressive form.

His past performances against MI highlight his dominance:

53 off 30 balls
51 off 40 balls*
43 off 24 balls
104 off 51 balls
70 off 52 balls
42 off 21 balls

⚡𝗩𝗲𝗻𝗸𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝗵 𝗜𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗸𝗮 𝗛𝘂𝗸𝘂𝗺 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗜 ⚡

Innings - 6
Runs - 362
Avg - 72.20
SR - 165.29
HS - 104 pic.twitter.com/ZivcvY5EqN
— KKR Vibe (@KnightsVibe) March 30, 2025

Also read:LSG vs PBKS: Match 13 Weather and Pitch report – IPL 2025

With these incredible numbers, Iyer has proven himself a consistent performer against MI. His ability to up the tempo and take on MI bowlers makes him a critical player for KKR in this pivotal match. Is he able to replicate his past feats and lead his team to a win again? Fans will be watching him very closely once he walks into Wankhede tonight.

Venkatesh Iyer Reveals How Dhoni Planned His Wicket

Sat, 15 Mar 2025 16:56:54 GMT

Ms Dhoni is an great tactician that everyone knowns, he is been doing it for so many years, eventhough at this stage too his skills are so divine that its been appreciated by all players of this generation too. Even Venkatesh Iyer too couldn't hold his emotions on a recent interview. Where he shared a momentum which really stucked into his mind that how Ms Dhoni make use of angles in cricket.

Even he depicts that cricket is also a game of angles I got to know that day. Venkatesh Iyer is the recent sensation for Kolkata who has sealed the opening slot for him, debuted in 2021 against RCB which was an dream debut for him too. He had a great season that year scoring 300 plus runs and helping his team to reach the final but couldn't able to cross the final line.

Iyer with a gripping career

With an impressive first season in Ipl Venkatesh Iyer was fast-tracked into a national team where he made his T20 debut against New Zealand in 2021 where he was picked as a bowling all-rounder and got a chance at the final T20 where he bowled 3 overs giving away 12 runs and picking up 1 wicket. Next year he made his ODI debut against South Africa. Even though he had played some notable innings against West Indies and Ireland, his attacking approach has been really impressive.

Which has gained a critical claim on him, In 2022 Ipl he couldn't take part due to injury and made a huge comeback in 2023 IPL where he scored his maiden IPL century against Mumbai Indians, he had a good season there too but team couldn't move further. Even in 2023 IPL auction he was bought back for 23 crores. And he repaid it back with winning them the trophy in 2024.

I was scratching my mind how he did it.

Venkatesh Iyer recalls the memory of an away game held in Chepauk. I remember clearly it was, the second leg of IPL when the two teams met once again Kkr won the game by six wickets but there happened an incident where Venkatesh Iyer was confused about how Dhoni planned his dismissal. With huge curiosity, he asked Ms Dhoni how he planned his dismissal.

With Kkr losing their first wicket in first over itself Iyer came at number 3 and started bashing the bowlers. Then Dhoni asked Ravindra Jadeja to move to short third region. The next ball he straightly hit back to Jadeja , what Dhoni did placed the fielder slightly away from the short third man actually stands that's the trick and slight adjacement he makes which amazes us.

I asked him later, how he did that, Dhoni's reply was simple he wanted to understand or to see the impact of the ball from his bat and the angles from which the ball deviates more and he got to know if I hit the ball it will go to that direction and exactly which I did played the shot there, I was just amazed by his proactive approach, even the camera showed exactly what happened, I said to myself he is such a class.

Top 5 Kolkata Knight Riders Players Who Can Be In Red Hot Form This IPL Season

Sat, 15 Mar 2025 08:13:52 GMT

Current defending Champions Kolkata Knight Riders had a great auction before the IPL 2025, though there were quite setbacks when Shreyas Iyer the former captain left the team for the credibility issues. However, the team had moved on from that and they replaced the same replica of the person who understood the game better. They bought Rahane at the cost of 1.5 crore which could be considered as the best deal of all.

The amount of experience Rahane posses in that camp is just invaluable. Retaining the core team and adversing the new talents strains Kolkata into the final 4 of this IPL edition too.In this edition there are players who can strom this IPL season with their innovative batting style.

The first on our list is -

1 Ajinkya Rahane

Rahane might be considered as slow starter or carrier of the team but the recent form and the way he played in the previous season are the testiments that Rahane could be the x factor for Kolkata. From 2023 he has stellar performance for CSK where he had the strike rate of 199 and scored 209 runs comparing to last year it is quite impressive where he just possesed a strike rate of 103 and scoring just 133 runs.

Rahane has improved a lot as a t20 player and the additional responsibility of captaincy would strive him more as player and enchance the confidence beneath him.

2. Venkatesh Iyer

Venkatesh Iyer has been the best opener for KKR where he debuted in 2021 where he had a stellar performance in 10 games scoring 350 runs where they finished as runners up in that season and Iyer established himself as prominent opener. He established himself in 2022 too where he had a good season but later suffering from injury he had to skip the next season.

Iyer was back in 2024 he was not just back but was impactful then way earlier he just devasted the opening slot scoring 370 in that season with an average of 46.89 with a strike rate of 158. Yet it seems Iyer hasn't shown his full potential he may be a dangerous customer for other teams in this upcoming season.

3. Andre Russell

The muscle man is no need of introduction of his finishing abilities which he is been doing for KKR for years. If he stands on the ground that means any bowler in the world is small for him. He has played some of the crucial knocks which is never been expected. The type of pressure handling he does and range of hitting is quite insane.

He posses the strike rate of 170 at the death overs of the game. Where his valuable efforts are still in praise. In this season too he can create a huge impact with his all round abilities too which can help KKR to attain their fourth title.

4. Manish Pandey

Manish Pandey who started his career as an opener then later moved onto the middle order batsman. Started his career with Royal Challengers Banglore where stretched with Virat Kohli's stature though he had a good flow of runs too. But due to inconsistency he had to travel to many teams. Scoring runs was never an issue but the template of consistency has been lacking.

In this season he has been picked by Kolkata once again for 75 Lakhs. He is considered as best middle order batsman for now who manages the role and this year without absence of Shreyas Iyer he can play the middle order role for the team.

5. Sunil Narine

Sunil Narine the spin web and the pinch hitter of the team has gained widespread recognition where it all started with Gautam Gambhir who promoted him to the top order during his captaincy tenure in 2017, from there it was no looking back for Narine. With KKR he has won three titles from 2012,2014 and now it's 2024. He has won it in different phases which makes him more elite. There is no intro for his spin bowling which can be heavily handy.

He can play the role of same all rounder for the team, that's what makes kolkata a dangerous side where their players posses both kind of talents so it kindly helps them to generate the game.

These players are considered as the X factor for this season it would be epicable if they added some experienced coach pool too Csk Dwayne Bravo as bowling coach can be very handy that reciprocates KKR are on a hunt to retain their title.

Kolkata Announces Their Captain And Vice Captain Ahead Of IPL2025

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 12:07:38 GMT

Kolkata Knight Riders the current defending Champions Of IPL 2025 have announced their Captain and Vice Captain. After the season of IPL 2024, Shreyas Iyer parted ways from the Kolkata franchise which has been bought by Punjab Kings for 26.5 crores who is the second highest bidder in the history of IPL. Shreyas Iyer and Gautam Gambhir's combination was spontaneous last season which helped them to attain their third IPL title.

In this IPL auction Kolkata has acquiped some extensive buys and reframed their core team without disturbing much. This year Kolkata Knight Riders have acquired Dwayne Bravo as their mentor who has tons of experience enhancing with Chennai Super Kings these many years. Gautam Gambhir had to left the position as he got an offer from BCCI to become the head coach of Indian team.

Rahane And Venkatesh Iyer To Lead The Team

As earlier mentioned in this year's auction Kolkata has bought some exciting talents which has reframed their core team. The best example of this is Ajinkya Rahane. He was bought by KKR for 1.5 crore which is considered a good steal. The kind of experience the former captain and vice-captain of India Rahane possesses is truly exceptional which can lead a new way to the franchise. He has been appointed as KKR captain for this season

Rahane is been part of IPL since his inception but majorly played for Rajasthan Royals. In between the RR suspension he has led the Rising Pune Super Gaints team and after upliftment back to Royals where he led there too and made into play offs. But didn't reached finals, Rahane has led 25 games as captain in which he has won 9 and lost 16.

Venkatesh Iyer who has been integral part of Kolkata Knight Riders as opener has been retained back for 23.5 crores and he has named as KKR vice captain who will be under the guidance of Rahane. The dynamic opener has been an key asset to KKR.

A New Way Of Thinking

KKKR have moved on and they have got new dynamics this year. Rahane as captain, Venkatesh Iyer as their vice captain and Dwayne Bravo as their mentor. Both Rahane and Bravo have been part of Chennai Super Kings too. So the mamoth experience will be very crucial for KKR this season. The calm tendency of Rahane replicate in his captaincy and fiery pace of Venkatesh will be very useful for Rahane and co to cop up the balance.

Team CEO Venky Mysore too clearly depicted in his press conference that buying Rahane for 1.5 crore is a huge plus point for us. I have been a huge fan of his and think we as a team will recreate the magic as we did earlier.

Bad News for Cricket Fans: IPL 2025 Tournament Faces Delay

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 03:37:09 GMT

IPL 2025 Schedule: Latest Updates and Key Highlights

The excitement for IPL 2025's 18th edition has reached its highest point as it awaits the officially announced schedule by the fans. Though the BCCI has revealed that IPL 2025 would start on 21 March, 2025, the official schedule for this is to come out within a week

Key IPL 2025 News.
1. Date of Commencement and Last Venue
The tournament will start from 21 March, 2025: Rajeev Shukla, IPL chairman.
The last match would be played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on May 25, 2025.

2. Home Ground Change for Two Teams
Two matches of Delhi Capitals will be played in Visakhapatnam (Vizag) instead of Delhi.
Rajasthan Royals will play two home games at a neutral venue, whose venue is to be decided yet.

🚨 IPL 2025 SCHEDULE WILL BE ANNOUNCED NEXT WEEK 🚨 (Sports Tak). pic.twitter.com/OQMA8iL6ul
— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) February 10, 2025

3. Playoff Venues
The first two playoff matches will be held at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad.
The second playoff and the grand final will be played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

IPL 2025: 2 Strengths & 1 Weakness of Kolkata Knight Riders 2025 IPL Squad

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 08:45:24 GMT

Kolkata Knight Riders have been prominent in having squads, which doesn't disappoint the tournament's fanatics with their gameplay. The previous edition was a massive success for the three-time winners, who broke their 10-year trophy drought by winning the event. They have been one of the most consistent teams, with an ardent fan base.

The Knight Riders are renowned for their quirky planning and approach at auctions, which sometimes do their best and occasionally spark considerable debate among fans. But in the end, they were able to create a team with a concoction of cricketing talent. That said, we examine the two major strengths and one weakness of the 2025 IPL squad of the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders.

Kolkata Knight Riders 2025 IPL Squad: Rinku Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Harshit Rana, Ramandeep Singh, Venkatesh Iyer, Anrich Nortje, Quinton de Kock, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Spencer Johnson, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Moeen Ali, Vaibhav Arora, Rovman Powell, Ajinkya Rahane, Umran Malik, Manish Pandey, Anukul Roy, Luvnith Sisodia, Mayank Markande.

2 Strengths:

In-depth variety of overseas players

Kolkata Knight Riders primarily focused on obtaining experienced overseas campaigners, who have been prominent in the game's shortest format. Currently, they the Afghan prodigy Rahmanullah Gurbaz and the Caribbean duo of Sunil Narine and Andre Russell.

The three-time champions have bought Quinton de Kock, Anrich Nortje, Rovman Powell, Moeen Ali and Spencer Johnson; it is no surprise that the experience quotient in the tournament will play a pivotal role in strengthening the squad in the coming editions. Hence, the defending champions are up to showcase their potential and give their best to win their fourth title.

Optimum mix of emerging and experienced bowlers

Continuing the previous section, the Knight Riders are helmed with the right combination of spinners and pacers. Spinners Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy hand you eight solid overs. Varun is one of the IPL’s best spinners. Varun and Narine's mystery spin would aid KKR, as both have had a memorable season with their spinmeister's abilities.

Regarding pacers, they have not repurchased Mitchell Starc. Now, they will avail themselves of the services of Anrich Nortje, Spencer Johnson, Harshit Rana, Vaibhav Arora, Andre Russell and Umran Malik, indicating a newly built face of the team's speed attack.

1 Weakness:

Lack of a promising captain

Kolkata Knight Riders parted ways with their champions captain, Shreyas Iyer, which was something no IPL fanatic was seeing coming. During the 2025 IPL Mega Auction, they tried to obtain KL Rahul for the captaincy spot, but Delhi Capitals edged past them for a colossal INR 14 Crores. Then, the Knight Riders decided to spend heavily on their reliable all-rounder, Venkatesh Iyer. A hefty INR 23.75 crore was spent on Venkatesh, who hasn't led in the IPL or at the state level, which is a tricky territory.

For now, Venkatesh Iyer is the potential skipper of KKR, as he has been with the side for several seasons, and another reason is his price tag. Other reports imply Ajinkya Rahane is another strong contender for the team's leadership spot. However, many have contrasting opinions on the team's captain's spot uncertainty and believe the management could have spent more on an experienced campaigner. Overall, this could be a significant weakness hindering the defending champions.

Ajinkya Rahane in contention for a captaincy role with KRR: Reports

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 05:45:12 GMT

As per growing speculation, Mumbai's Ranji Trophy captain Ajinkya Rahane has emerged as a potential candidate to lead the KKR franchise in the IPL 2025 season. The 36-year-old was omitted from the leadership position from his domestic Mumbai side in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

However, given his experience at the highest level, Rahane's leadership capabilities are still held in high regard.

Speculation around Rahane leading the Kolkata Knight Riders

Rahane was bought by the KKR for an impressive amount of Rs 1.5 crore in the Jeddah mega-auction. From what we understand from a source in TOI, Rahane is being considered over Venkatesh Iyer as a viable captaincy candidate for the three-time IPL champions.

"Yes, at the moment it's 90% confirmed that Ajinkya will be the new KKR captain. He was bought by KKR specifically for the purpose of being a viable captaincy option."

If this development becomes a reality, then it would surely be seen as a surprising move from the Shahrukh Khan-owned KKR since the franchise was vying to appoint the all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer as a captain initially who was bought for a whopping Rs 23.75 crore in the mega auction.

Rahane was previously removed as the Mumbai captain in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament as the MCA preferred to have the in-form Shreyas Iyer for the job instead. However, it will be an ironic turnaround for Rahane if he becomes the captain of KKR, and while doing so he will replace Shreyas in the process who led the Kolkata-based outfit to the title last year.

Rahane is no longer a part of the Indian setup across formats but under his leadership, the national side went on to achieve some significant milestones that are still etched in the chapters of India's glorious cricket history.

IPL 2025: The ₹23.75 crore gamble that could define KKR's IPL 2025 campaign

Sat, 30 Nov 2024 14:26:59 GMT

The IPL 2025 Mega Auction, held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25, witnessed historic bidding wars, but none more dramatic than Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) shelling out a jaw-dropping ₹23.75 crore for Venkatesh Iyer. Known for his explosive batting and ability to turn games single-handedly, Iyer became the most sought-after player in the auction. The 30-year-old all-rounder, despite inconsistent performances with the ball, has carved a niche as a game-changer at the top of the order. His ability to dominate powerplays, deliver momentum-shifting knocks, and occasional handy medium-pace bowling made him a prized asset. For KKR, who have long searched for a marquee Indian all-rounder to anchor their squad, Iyer’s versatility and impact potential justified the massive investment.

KKR’s strategy revolved around building a dynamic squad, and Iyer fit perfectly into their plans. His stellar performances in recent seasons, combined with his match-winning ability under pressure, made him irreplaceable. While his bowling hasn’t been as reliable, his knack for delivering with the bat in critical moments stood out. Additionally, Iyer’s fielding prowess and leadership potential added to his appeal. The franchise is banking on his experience and hunger to evolve as a player to spearhead their campaign for the coveted IPL trophy. As KKR fans celebrated the acquisition, the spotlight is now on Iyer to live up to the expectations and deliver on his massive price tag.

Breakdown of Venkatesh Iyer's price tag in IPL 2025 Mega Auction

Venkatesh Iyer’s IPL journey has been a roller-coaster ride since his debut in 2021, marked by bursts of brilliance and phases of inconsistency. In his maiden season, he took the league by storm, scoring 370 runs at an impressive strike rate of 128.5, with four fifties to his name. His ability to dominate the powerplay and finish innings with aggression made him an instant sensation. However, his performance dipped significantly in 2022, managing just 182 runs across 12 innings at a meager average of 16.5 and a strike rate of 107.7, which raised questions about his consistency and adaptability against quality bowling attacks.

The 2023 season saw a resurgence, with Iyer amassing 404 runs, including his maiden IPL century, at an excellent strike rate of 145.8. His ability to clear the ropes and rotate the strike improved, as reflected in his reduced dot-ball percentage of 32.5%. Despite his efforts, the pressure to deliver consistently remained, as he averaged 28.9 across 14 innings. In 2024, Iyer showcased his best version yet, scoring 370 runs in 13 innings at a career-high strike rate of 158.8 and a solid average of 46.2. His aggressive approach in the middle overs and ability to accelerate in the death overs made him a standout performer for his team.

Strategy behind the gamlble by KKR

While Iyer’s batting prowess and explosive potential are undeniable, his inconsistency across seasons raises concerns. His bowling, which once offered a secondary dimension, has been unreliable, leaving him as a specialist batter for most of his IPL career. Furthermore, Iyer lacks a proven track record as a captain or leader, which significantly limits his overall value in the auction. Leadership potential often plays a key role in commanding sky-high bids, as seen with players like MS Dhoni or Hardik Pandya, but Iyer has yet to demonstrate the qualities required to lead a side effectively.

KKR’s massive ₹23.75 crore investment in Iyer in the 2025 auction seems disproportionate given his current skill set and past performances. While he undoubtedly deserved a high bid, an amount between ₹12 to ₹13 crore would have been a more reasonable valuation based on his explosive batting and occasional bowling contributions. The staggering price tag not only heaps immense pressure on Iyer to deliver consistently but also limits the franchise’s ability to invest in other key areas of the squad.

For KKR, the challenge lies in ensuring that Iyer lives up to these lofty expectations. While he has the potential to justify their faith, it is a gamble that comes with significant risk. The ₹23.75 crore tag comes with a weight of responsibility, and for Iyer, this is an opportunity to silence critics and establish himself as one of the IPL’s most impactful players. Whether he rises to the occasion remains to be seen, but for now, the onus is on him to prove he is worth every penny.

IPL 2025: Top 5 Most Overpriced Players from the 2025 IPL Mega Auction

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 09:06:07 GMT

The 2025 IPL Mega Auction ended in Jeddah on November 24th and 25th. While all the teams moved on to rebuild their respective squads, they purchased several players for colossal sums of money. Following a tremendous two-day event that saw 577 participants go under the hammer, teams with increased player purses of INR 120 Crores made competent choices and built their squads to cater for their next three years' prospects.

But, certain purchases have resulted in the franchise breaking the bank to obtain its playability. However, these offers have left many wondering whether the price tag they provided is justified. That said, here are the top five pricey bids from the recent 2025 IPL Mega Auction.

Venkatesh Iyer- INR 23.75 Crores (Kolkata Knight Riders)

Kolkata Knight Riders spent a big bank on Venkatesh Iyer. The reigning champions repurchased their ace southpaw for a hefty INR 23.75 crore, making him the most expensive allrounder being acquired. Fans were taken aback when the Kolkata outfits agreed to pay Iyer such a high price. His paycheque last season was a decent INR 8 crores, which has increased significantly through the recently concluded 2025 IPL Mega Auction.

While it was understandable for KKR to repurchase a top-order batter from their title-winning side, the sum paid for Venky Iyer seemed to be exorbitant. In his IPL stint of 50 matches, he has made 1326 runs, averaging over 32 and scalped three wickets.

Jitesh Sharma- INR 11 Crores (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru purchased Jitesh Sharma at the recent Mega Auction. But the keeper could see himself being sold for a large sum, which was a shock for many. Given his decline in performance since last season, it was a surprise when RCB signed him for a whopping INR 11 crores. Several fans and reviewers have expressed reservations about Jitesh's high price.

However, given the franchise's new ideals and game plan of developing young players, Jitesh Sharma will likely be a worthwhile investment as a long-term wicketkeeper. However, it sparks much debate among fans and critics about whether the price tag is justified. He has scored 730 runs in 40 matches, with a fantastic strike rate of 151.14.

Jofra Archer- INR 12.5 Crores (Rajasthan Royals)

Jofra Archer had a reunion stint in the IPL 2025 Mega Auction. The English speedster was initially excluded from the auction, but a few days before, he obtained his NOC (No Objection Certificate) and registered his name. At the auction, Rajasthan Royals purchased him for 12.5 crores. Archer has had several injuries throughout the years, and he could never produce some crucial spells for the Mumbai Indians.

But now that RR has spent so much money on the ace speedster, it would be interesting to see the Englishman's homecoming performance. In 35 IPL appearances, he has taken 46 wickets at an economy rate of 7.13.

Noor Ahmad- INR 10 Crores (Chennai Super Kings)

Noor Ahmad made his IPL debut for the Gujarat Titans in 2023 and was an instant success, taking 16 wickets in 13 games. Though his form slipped the previous season, he took just ten wickets in 10 games. And at the IPL 2025 Mega Auction, the Chennai Super Kings signed him for a whopping ten crores, representing a 3233% salary increase. Interestingly, GT was on a basic salary of 30 lakhs.

Given Noor Ahmad's just a mere few appearances for his national team, the new price tag appears to be far too much. Interestingly, in IPL 2021, he was a nets bowler for CSK, which might be the key reason for having him onboard to the yellow side. In 23 IPL matches, he has taken 24 wickets at an economy rate of eight.

Josh Hazlewood- INR 12.5 Crores (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)

The Australian quickie, Josh Hazlewood, has had a reasonably strong position in the IPL, though he might not be the ideal pacemaker in the shortest format overseas. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru have repurchased him for Rs 12.5 crore. Having already contributed to RCB's successful 2021 season, Hazlewood is expected to spearhead their speed assault again.

His demonstrated ability to generate bounce and movement will considerably improve RCB's fast bowling department. However, his lack of familiarity and poor stats might hurt the team's bowling mix, exposing it to be too expensive. His IPL record consists of him playing only 12 matches and scalping 12 wickets at an economy of 7.93.

IPL 2025: Top 5 Most Expensive Players from the 2025 IPL Mega Auction

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 08:23:05 GMT

The 2025 IPL Mega Auction has kept several cricket fanatics and critics on the hook, as it dealt with cash-rich bids under the hammer and impeccable campaigners who will be a part of different or their old and homely franchises. As the Mega Auction notion suggests, almost every side has gone for a significant restructuring, whether going for a new captain or parting ways with their reliable bowling duo; it has shown it all.

However, the recent Mega Auction saw a colossal amount of bucks spent on several promising contenders. As expected, this time, we know a list comprising sole domestic players who have made a mark to the most expensive players for the forthcoming tournament, highlighting their robust calibre in offer for the respective franchises. That said, here's the list of the top five most expensive bids from the 2025 IPL Mega Auction.

Rishabh Pant- INR 27 Crores (Lucknow Super Giants)

Rishabh Pant became the most expensive player in IPL history when the Lucknow Super Giants signed him for a staggering INR 27 crore. Lucknow emerged victorious in a tough bidding battle against clubs such as Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Delhi Capitals, with the latter wanting to recover their former skipper.

As the Super Giants released their first and reliable captain, KL Rahul, it was clear that the arsenal would go all out to capture the dashing left-handed wicketkeeper. A strong batsman with an IPL stats of 3,284 runs in 111 matches and a strike rate of 148.93 helps to add tremendous value to Lucknow's squad, which might potentially fill the wicketkeeping and, more importantly, their captaincy deficit.

Shreyas Iyer- INR 26.75 Crores (Punjab Kings)

Shreyas Iyer, who guided the Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL title in 2024, was signed by the Punjab Super Kings for an enormous INR 26.75 crore. The fierce bidding saw Punjab, Delhi Capitals, and Kolkata compete, with Punjab eventually outlasting the others. Iyer broke Mitchell Starc's IPL 2024 record for the highest-paid player, but Pant topped him shortly after.

With the Punjab Kings still to win their maiden IPL trophy, it would be interesting to observe how Iyer will lead his high-profile and influential team under the direction of his old coach, Ricky Ponting. Iyer, known for his dependability, has 3,127 runs in 115 IPL matches, which will help to stabilise Punjab's middle order as their new captain.

Venkatesh Iyer- INR 23.75 Crores (Kolkata Knight Riders)

Despite releasing him before, the Kolkata Knight Riders went all out to re-sign Venkatesh Iyer for INR 23.75 crore. Iyer, known for his all-around abilities, was instrumental in KKR's success and continues to be a valuable asset to the brand. Kolkata won the bidding fight over Lucknow and Bengaluru.

In exchange, it has elicited various criticisms and perplexing thoughts about his performance and height, which deserve the price tag. But, as time passes, seeing how the most expensive IPL allrounder performs for the reigning champions will be intriguing. Iyer has 1,326 runs with a strike rate of 137.13 and three wickets in 50 IPL matches since making his debut in 2021.

Arshdeep Singh- INR 18 Crores (Punjab Kings)

Arshdeep Singh triggered a bidding battle as the day's first name. Teams including Chennai, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Gujarat made competitive bids before the Punjab Super Kings utilised their Right to Match (RTM) card to retain him for INR 18 crore. The 25-year-old left-arm bowler, who won the T20 World Cup, has 76 wickets in 65 IPL games and excelled with his recent exploits for India, including being the joint-highest wicket-taker in the recent successful 2024 T20 World Cup.

To summarise, his ability to bowl under pressure makes him an essential player for Punjab, putting tremendous pressure on any batsman with the new ball and simultaneously in the death overs.

Yuzvendra Chahal- INR 18 Crores (Punjab Kings)

Yuzvendra Chahal, IPL's prominent spinmeister, was signed by Punjab Kings for INR 18 crore. Gujarat, Chennai, and Lucknow first contended for the star legspinner until Punjab emerged successfully against Hyderabad in the intense bidding war. Chahal, who has a fantastic record in numerous sports formats, provides experience and match-winning qualities to Punjab's bowling attack.

This will be Chahal's fourth IPL team, following stints with Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Rajasthan. In his 160-match career, he has taken 205 wickets, making him the tournament's all-time leading wicket-taker, making it the cherry on top for the new Punjab Kings squad.