RP Singh suggests a new batting position for struggling Venkatesh Iyer

Venkatesh Iyer, Kolkata Knight Riders’ most expensive buy in the IPL 2025 auction, has had a tough season so far. Scoring just 135 runs in eight matches at a strike rate of 139, the southpaw has struggled to justify his massive ₹23.75 crore price tag. Former India pacer RP Singh has now weighed in, suggesting that KKR rethink their strategies.

KKR’s Opening Woes Continue in IPL 2025

Kolkata Knight Riders have tried several opening combinations without much success. Quinton de Kock, Moeen Ali, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz have all partnered Sunil Narine, but a consistent start has been hard to find. Last season, Narine and Phil Salt‘s steady opening stands were key to KKR’s title-winning campaign. However, in IPL 2025, none of the pairings have clicked, leading to early collapses.

RP Singh, speaking at a media event ahead of KKR’s ‘Revenge Week’ clash against Punjab Kings, suggested that the franchise should drop an overseas player and open with Sunil Narine and Venkatesh Iyer instead. “Narine is an impactful player. He has benefited KKR with the bat in the past. Venkatesh Iyer, too, made his name as an opener. It’s worth trying again,” Singh said.

‘KKR Should Give Venkatesh Iyer More Responsibility’

RP Singh criticized KKR for not assigning a bigger role to Venkatesh Iyer despite the hefty investment. “If you invest such a huge amount in a player, you either see him as your main man or as a captaincy option. But in Iyer’s case, neither has happened,” Singh noted. He added that letting go of Shreyas Iyer, who is now captaining Punjab Kings effectively, was a blunder by KKR management.

Singh stressed that dropping Iyer now would not be the right move. “You can only get a quality player back in form by backing him and giving him consistent opportunities. He might be under pressure thinking, ‘I have received so much money, why can’t I make my team a champion?’ This overpressure could be affecting his performance,” he explained.

Venkatesh Iyer’s Numbers Paint a Grim Picture

With just 135 runs in eight games and only one half-century to his name, Venkatesh Iyer’s struggles are evident. While his strike rate of 139 suggests attacking intent, the lack of big scores has hurt KKR’s top order dearly. RP Singh believes a promotion to the opening slot might help Iyer regain his rhythm and repay the faith shown in him.

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