Big Bucks, Bigger Burden: Venkatesh Iyer and the IPL’s Costliest Question

Let’s be honest, when Venkatesh Iyer’s name came out, everyone was like, ‘What the hell? Who does KKR think they’re kidding? He went for ₹23.75 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction. Now that’s not to take anything away from Iyer, he’s got potential, but that’s superstar money. That’s load management, carrying the team through sheer force of money. Now let’s fast forward to the middle of the season. KKR is only just hanging around the playoff picture, Iyer is playing like my wi-fi is dropping during a live stream, and fans are questioning the buy- was it worth it? Or perhaps better, is his price tag weighing him down?

The Weight of Expectation: Carrying a ₹23.75 Crore Burden

With franchises throwing ridiculous amounts of money at players, expectations increase, and often it is unfairly so. In 2024, Iyer was a monster: 370 runs, average of over 46, strike rate approaching 160. He was the middle-order cog for KKR, the driving force behind more than one successful chase. Then in 2025, he’s been limited to 135 runs from six innings, averaging 22.5 with a strike rate of 139.2—not horrible in a vacuum, but nowhere close to what you would want out of a marquee player.

To make matters worse, Iyer’s slow starts are becoming a trend. In a format where your first ten balls can dictate your knock, Iyer’s strike rate has dropped to 98, down from a white-hot 171 last year. That is not just a dip; it is a positional disadvantage, particularly in chases when the pressure is on.

So, is the price affecting him? Maybe. When everything you do is being scrutinised and there are so many comments on Twitter about each dot ball you play, then it must be hard to keep your confidence up; and your confidence can reduce quicker than a mistimed pull shot.

The Domino Effect on KKR’s Campaign

This is not an easy thing to say: KKR’s season hinges on fine margins; three wins from eight, they are as good as out. Cricket is indeed a team game, but form for individual players is still crucial. Individual player form is the main focus area for KKR when the player’s form is a player who is a match-winner. Iyer walked in with his team at 43/2 needing to score 10 runs per over. Simple, right?. His slowest innings in T20s. That innings killed our chase. Ajinkya Rahane did everything he could from the other end to stay in a position to chase the target pace, however, Ayer’s inability from the other end made it extremely difficult to keep any momentum. KKR ended up losing by 39 runs.

When the most expensive player is the most vulnerable player in a match or tournament, it hits morale. It damages dressing room confidence. More importantly, it sends the wrong message to the opposition players, who are looking for any weakness to exploit.

The Bigger Picture: Is It Form, Pressure, or Poor Strategy?

 Let’s think about it. Is this purely a pressure situation? Or is there more?

T20 cricket is unpredictable. One season, you’re a superstar; next season, you are a story that the media uses for the wrong reasons. Iyer now seems like he has no talent, which we know isn’t true. Perhaps the way the team is using him needs to be improved. He isn’t succeeding when batters bat at No. 4 in trouble, especially when he plays his best when he is playing without a scoreboard requirement.

Moreover, has the organization helped the players manage the weight of the mental baggage that comes with large paychecks? Probably not. Some players can rise to the occasion, and some can’t. The real job of any franchise isn’t just to acquire talent, but to cultivate it.

So, what do you think—can Iyer recover and silence the skeptics? Or will the pressure of his paycheck forever weigh him down? Let us know in the comments.