The defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), will kick off their IPL 2025 campaign on March 22 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens. Preparations are in full swing, and many eyes will be on KKR’s newly appointed vice-captain, Venkatesh Iyer.
When KKR spent ₹23.75 crore to acquire him, it was a clear sign of the franchise’s faith in his abilities. Now, ahead of a crucial season, he sat down for a chat with RevSportz’s chief editor, Boria Majumdar, on an episode of ‘Backstage with Boria’. In the conversation, Iyer spoke about KKR and their fans, the hefty price tag, the upcoming IPL season, his India comeback aspirations, Test cricket, and more.
The journey has been incredible for him, shaped by a deep respect for domestic cricket. Indian cricket thrives because of its strong domestic structure, and he has always prioritised and valued that. Over time, he also realised the importance of leadership—not just batting, bowling, or fielding, but the responsibility that comes with guiding a team. Now, stepping into a leadership role at KKR is a special opportunity. His bond with the franchise goes beyond cricket; there is an emotional connection. “Playing for this team feels like representing the entire Bengal region,” he said. “It is an incredible feeling. Being in a leadership role is a big responsibility, and I will give it my 100 per cent.”
One of the most special things about KKR is how they turn young players into heroes. “Take Rinku Singh as an example,” said Venkatesh. “He is a hero now, and the entire cricketing world knows him. That is the magic of the Kolkata crowd. When you come to Kolkata, you fall in love with cricket. It’s a huge deal to play for this franchise.”
Growing up, he was a huge fan of Sourav Ganguly, and when Ganguly played for KKR, he believed players could choose their IPL teams. “Luckily, KKR was the first team to give me that platform by picking me,” said Venkatesh. “Representing this team is very special. Playing at the iconic Eden Gardens was always a dream.”
Stepping onto the field at Eden Gardens is a surreal experience. He recalls the first time he visited the stadium for a Ranji Trophy match, even though he was not playing. “I was not even playing in that match, but just sitting outside, I felt like I had achieved something—just by making it to Eden Gardens,” he said. “To step onto the field at Eden and see thousands of fans cheering for you and your team—there’s no greater feeling for a cricketer. It feels like 70-80,000 people are behind you, supporting you with every action you take. That energy brings out the best in you.”
The presence of Shah Rukh Khan at the franchise adds a different dimension to KKR. He is not just the boss. “More than a franchise owner, he gives off an elder brother vibe,” said Venkatesh. “He makes you feel like he is always there for you. A franchise owner does not have to be so friendly and humble, especially someone like him, a global superstar. But he is so down to earth.
“When you meet him, you feel like you want to do something special for him. You feel like, ‘No, I want to do something for this man. I want to do something special for Shah Rukh bhai.'”
His favorite anecdote regarding SRK is a personal one. “My favorite memory is when he told my mom, ‘You have raised a very good child.’ That moment made me extremely happy.”
His career has been a fascinating journey—one that could be written as a story. When he first entered the IPL, he played with raw confidence, without overthinking the game. “When you do not overanalyse, you just go out there and do what you know. That is what I did—I just played my natural game and enjoyed it. Everything fell into place.”
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🚨 #VenkateshIyer Exclusive
"The Kolkata crowd has the ability to create heroes!" — @KKRiders vice captain @venkateshiyer praises the #KKR fans, gives example of @rinkusingh235.
Speaks about the role of the management, @iamsrk as the owner, leadership roles, domestic cricket… pic.twitter.com/gwQBQKYDKO
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) March 20, 2025
However, as expectations grew, the pressure also increased. “In 2022, there were talks about me being in the [T20] World Cup squad. Instead of focusing on my present matches, I started thinking about the World Cup. In the end, I missed out on both.”
That experience was a turning point. It taught him the value of focusing on the present, a lesson reinforced when an injury sidelined him for six to eight months. “That phase taught me a lot about being grateful,” said Venkatesh. “Sometimes, in the pursuit of something extraordinary, we forget to appreciate what we already have. And these are not my words—Shah Rukh Khan told me this.”
The IPL 2025 auction was a life-changing moment as KKR went all out for him. “The middle-class guy in me was very happy with the money! I would not lie,” he said. However, as the bidding war between KKR and RCB escalated, it brought a mix of emotions. “One way to look at it is to feel happy that I’ve done something good in my career for teams to invest in me. Another way, which I think is the right one, is to realise that this comes with a lot of responsibility.
“If I say there is no pressure, I would be lying. Of course, there is pressure. And there has to be pressure. But once the match starts, none of it matters. Whether I am a ₹20 lakh player or a ₹20 crore player, my job remains the same.”
He also sees himself as more than just a batter or bowler for KKR. “The way I see it, I have multiple ways to contribute now. If I do not score runs, I can still contribute with the ball. If I do not get to bowl, I can take a brilliant catch. If nothing else, I can share my inputs with Ajinkya [Rahane] and help KKR win. So rather than pressure, I see it as an opportunity to contribute in more ways.”
For him, the KKR fans are the heart of the team. “This championship, this jersey, this pride—it’s not ours,” said Venkatesh. “It belongs to them. Last year, after we won the IPL, I went on record saying that the championship was for the fans. For 10 years, they believed in us, even when we didn’t win a title.
“We have had bad seasons, below-par performances, but they never left us. That makes me feel like we must do something special for them. Not for ourselves, but for them.”
Looking ahead, Venkatesh remains determined to make a mark at the highest level. A comeback to the Indian team is always on his mind, but he knows it is a process. “If I know I have the skill to do something and I do not push myself, that would be a big regret when I finish my career,” he said. “Right now, I know I can contribute to India’s victories in Tests, T20s, and ODIs.
“If I do well at the domestic level, I know an India call-up is never far. But I am not thinking about that. I am thinking about what I will do when the opportunity comes.”
What is his biggest wish? “To be honest, I am really grateful for where I am right now,” he said. “I really want to play Test cricket for India. I really want to do that. And I am saying this because it is not unrealistic. It is something that is achievable. And it is not very far.”