Former West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, now the mentor for reigning IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has staunchly defended the team’s decision to go all out for Venkatesh Iyer during the recent IPL mega auction. Acquired for a jaw-dropping ₹23.75 crore, Iyer emerged as the third most expensive player of the event.
Bravo explained that retaining the core of the championship-winning side was the top priority for KKR. “Getting Venky (Venkatesh Iyer) was one of our main goals. It’s vital to maintain your core players because building from scratch complicates team combinations,” Bravo said.
The Madhya Pradesh all-rounder, who has represented India in nine T20Is and two ODIs, is seen as a potential future captain for KKR. Despite some criticism about why Iyer wasn’t retained earlier if leadership was part of the plan, Bravo remained confident in the decision. “We started strategizing early, and I’m happy with how things played out,” he added.
Iyer’s acquisition places him among the auction’s top earners, behind only Rishabh Pant (₹27 crore, Lucknow Super Giants) and Shreyas Iyer (₹26.75 crore, Punjab Kings). He even surpassed seasoned players like KL Rahul, who was bought by Delhi Capitals for ₹14 crore.
Beyond Iyer, KKR bolstered their lineup with key players, including fiery pacer Umran Malik and experienced all-rounder Rovman Powell. Bravo praised Malik’s raw pace and energy, expressing excitement about having him on the roster. KKR CEO Venky Mysore also highlighted the strategic upgrades, saying, “We have retained the team’s structure and made enhancements in key areas. It’s been a nerve-wracking but rewarding process.”
As Bravo takes charge of all Knight Riders franchises across T20 leagues, he looks forward to seeing this carefully crafted squad defend their title in the upcoming IPL season.
Leave a comment