Royal Challengers Bengaluru approached IPL 2026 auction with a total of sixteen point four crores rupees. The champions’ troupe, however, consumed the lion’s share, the amount of seven million, which is forty-three percent of the total, getting good Venkatesh Iyer. A move, which would nearly double their budget, RCB’s plan for having Venky Iyer in their side, indeed, raised the curiosity of a lot of people.
Venkatesh Iyer IPL auction strategy revealed
Under the leadership of Rajat Patidar, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) had marvelous success in the IPL 2025, winning the trophy for the first time in seventeen years. Additionally, they also became the champions of the IPL. The combination of Phil Salt and Virat Kohli was just so electrifying at the start of the innings that Devdutt Padikkal, the opener, became the number three batsman for RCB, scoring 247 runs at a phenomenal strike rate of 150.61 runs per hundred balls.
RCB’s move to chase Iyer in an all-out manner and finally catch him for the staggering price of INR 7 crores was met with suspicion. With Iyer switching his team in the IPL, on the other hand, RCB’s reasons for desperately wanting him at the auction—so let’s unravel the possible reasons why the Royal Challengers urgently wanted him in the auction.
Why RCB went all out after Venkatesh Iyer
Prized number three ranking; hence, an up-gradation to Padikkal
Criterion Padikkal Iyer
Innings 21. 15
Runs 483 562
Average 24.15 43.23
Strike Rate 138.79 168.77
(Venky vs Padikkal at 3 in IPL)
The statistics above unmistakably point to Venkatesh Iyer being the more consistent scorer in the IPL while playing at number three position. Iyer’s tallies show 562 runs with an average of 43.23 and a strike rate of 168.77, whereas Padikkal’s score is 483 runs, with an average, and a strike rate of 24.15, and 138.79, respectively.
The given stats imply that Iyer is clearly a better choice than Padikkal, and this could be the reason why Padikkal may not find a place in RCB’s playing XI.
Fantastic relationship with Rajat Patidar
Venkatesh Iyer is a player from Madhya Pradesh in the Indian domestic cricket circuit. For those who are not aware, the captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rajat Patidar, is also a player of the same team.
The two cricketers have developed a strong friendship and Patidar is well-versed in the qualities of Venkatesh Iyer. So as a captain he can surely take out the best from the flamboyant left-handed batsman for RCB in IPL 2026.
Big match player
Time and again Venkatesh Iyer has proved his class in the most important matches, among them the IPL playoffs. The southpaw has contributed to team runs in the IPL 35 percent while averaging 78 in the decider games.
Hence, his power to cope with the intense atmosphere could be a major factor for Venkatesh Iyer to get a rich contract for the 2026 IPL edition.
Moreover, RCB had most of the things covered and just wanted to make slight changes in their current squad. Thus, their decision to buy Venkatesh Iyer at 7 crores is absolutely reasonable and it has made their batting unit, which is already star-studded, even more powerful.
