Reports soon emerged suggesting that the Kolkata Knight Riders might consider releasing Venkatesh Iyer again before the IPL 2026 auction, given their buy-and-release approach to managing player costs, especially keeping in mind the youngster Venkatesh Iyer’s flop show earlier this year.
However, as reported by ESPNcricinfo, KKR CEO and Managing Director Venky Mysore has categorically dismissed the reports. Mysore insisted that the franchise does not operate with that mindset and focuses on long-term planning instead.
Mysore’s statement was a clear hint that the Kolkata Knight Riders are going to retain Venkatesh Iyer for ₹23.75 crore ahead of the IPL 2026 auction despite his disappointing 2025 season, leaving one and all shellshocked. Venkatesh Iyer was bought for a massive ₹23.75 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction but failed to perform,
The left-hander Nitish Rana could also be among the casualties ahead of IPL 2026. Despite his experience and aggressive batting approach, Nitish Rana managed just 217 runs in 11 games. While his strike rate was decent, his inability to play big, match-defining innings hurt the team’s middle order.
Given his inconsistent form, RR might part ways with him to bring in a more dependable batter. Following the news , which are to be rumoured as of now, Former IPL Veteran R Ashwin believed that Chennai Super Kings would be ready in the auction to acquire Nitish Rana and Venkatesh Iyer if released by their respective franchises.
R Ashwin believes that Nitish Rana and Venkatesh Iyer will be prominent on CSK Auction List for IPL 2026
Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin believes the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will zero in on acquiring one of Nitish Rana or Venkatesh Iyer in the upcoming IPL 2026 auction. Ashwin’s claim assumed that the headline-dominating Sanju Samson-Ravindra Jadeja-Sam Curran trade between CSK and the Rajasthan Royals (RR) was as good as done.
Should Samson and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad open the batting, Ashwin believes Rana or Venkatesh would be the ideal fit at No. 3 to access the square boundaries at Chepauk Stadium. Both left-handers endured a torrid IPL 2025 season for RR and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). While Rana finished with 217 runs at an average of under 22, Venkatesh averaged an even worse 20.28 in 11 outings. Talking about CSK’s auction plans should Jadeja and Curran be traded, Ashwin said on his YouTube channel (12:27):
“CSK can really strengthen this side. The moment Sam Curran and Ravindra Jadeja have gone there, I see Nitish Rana coming into the auction. So Nitish Rana and Venkatesh Iyer will 100% be on the radar of CSK. If Samson and Ruturaj open, it’ll be the best thing to happen. At 3, they’ll look at Venkatesh Iyer or Nitish Rana. Brevis and Dube will be at 4 and 5 and then they’ll try to insert Cameron Green at 6 because recently he has batted in the middle order for Australia.”
R Ashwin continued:
“Yes, Ayush Mhatre is a proven commodity. But the Chennai wicket has suddenly started slowing down and holding, especially while batting second. If there is one facet of the game lacking in the CSK batting, it’s their ability to access square of the wicket.
Mhatre, Dhoni, Jadeja and Dube don’t have the sweep or the reverse sweep to access the square boundaries. Even Ruturaj doesn’t prefer the sweep or reverse sweep, though he can play it. So playing the flat sweep is definitely needed.”
“Venkatesh Iyer has played one or two good innings in Chepauk. However, he is a replica of Shivam Dube with long levers down the ground. But he can play the sweep and reverse sweep. Nevertheless, someone like Nitish Rana, who is shorter, can access the square boundaries and use the bounce, and is an attractive option. There is a great chance he will come to CSK.”
Venkatesh was one of the big-ticket buys of the IPL 2025 auction, with KKR acquiring his services for a whopping ₹23.75 crores. Meanwhile, Rana moved from KKR to RR, with the latter buying him in the 2025 auction for ₹4.20 crores.Ravichandran Ashwin believes CSK can consider acquiring Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, should he be available at the upcoming auction, to play Ravindra Jadeja’s role. Ashwin also urged the franchise to consider Shreyas Gopal as a potential option as the second spinner to Noor Ahmad.
“Who will fill Ravindra Jadeja’s role? Will they back Shreyas Gopal as the second spinner? Shreyas Gopal has done very, very well recently and is bowling really well. He has done brilliantly even in the Maharaja Trophy and the Ranji Trophy. CSK can also look at a Wanindu Hasaranga as the second spinner if he is out there in the auction,” said Ashwin
Gopal was part of the CSK setup in the 2025 season, having been acquired for ₹30 Lakhs at the auction. However, he did play a single game for the Men in Yellow this year. The player retention list for all 10 franchises is set to be out on November 15.
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