Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane has defended Venkatesh Iyer’s huge salary for the upcoming Indian Premier League 2025. The all-rounder was bagged for a whopping amount of INR 23.75 crore by the three-time champions in the IPL 2025 mega auction and it surprised many experts.
Iyer had scored 370 runs in 13 innings at an average of 46.25 in IPL 2024 and had a blistering strike rate of 158.79. Ergo, he played an instrumental role in taking KKR to glory in the previous edition.
The 30-year-old has scored 1326 runs in 50 IPL matches at an average of 31.57 and a strike rate of 137.13.
“I want to tell you all that Venkatesh Iyer deserved that price tag. People are talking about all these things, but he has done well for this franchise on a number of occasions, so I think he deserves that price. I just want to tell you that please support the team and not ask all these questions in the coming pres conferences or wherever,” KKR captain Rahane said in a press conference ahead of IPL 2025.
Iyer, on the other hand, admitted that the pressure of the price tag is unavoidable but feels it would be irrelevant once the IPL kicks off.
“Wherever I go, I get asked this question, so it is existent, right? You can’t ignore it altogether. When the IPL will start, it really doesn’t matter. You are part of a playing XI, you are a part of a team that is going out there to win. It really does not matter for what price you were picked or what is expected out of you. Pressure is always there, irrespective, if not the price tag, it will be something else. It’ll either be selection or batting in multiple positions, the pressure will still be there,” Venkatesh Iyer said.
On the other hand, Ajinkya Rahane said he would be open to batting at any position and he would give his absolute best for the team.
“I have always played where the team wants me to play. Throughout my career that has been my thinking. The team comes first always. We still have 8 days to go for the first game, so we’ll talk about it, have a discussion. Wherever the team wants me to bat, I will give my 100 percent in that position,” Rahane said.
“I was only hearing about expectations from you guys when I was playing domestic cricket, frankly speaking. My only focus at that point was giving my best for Mumbai. Every season is a challenge for any team, and this particular format I feel that you have to give your best on each and every day. As a captain, I expect good intent, good attitude from everyone,” Rahane said of his appointment as captain.
KKR will begin their IPL title defence against RCB at Eden Gardens on March 22.
