"What a steal. Khel gye guru" - Fans go berserk as Venkatesh Iyer goes to RCB for ₹7 cr in IPL 2026 auction

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) made their first buy at the IPL 2026 auction, signing Venkatesh Iyer for ₹7 crore. The auction is ongoing in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, December 16.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) began the bid for the left-hander. Gujarat Titans (GT) jumped in, followed by RCB and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Post the ₹3 crore mark, it was a competition between RCB and KKR, with the defending champions eventually making the winning bid.

Fans went berserk as RCB roped in the Madhya Pradesh all-rounder.

"Mannn.... Venkatesh Iyer sold To Royal Challangers Banglore at just 7cr. What a steal. Khel gye guru (Well played)," a fan wrote on X.

Devanshu Maheshwari

@beingdevanshu19

Mannn.... Venkatesh Iyer sold To Royal Challangers Banglore at just 7cr. What a steal. Khel gye guru. ​#IPLAuction #VenkateshIyer

"Left-hand fire and fearless intent. 🔥A big stage performer, Venkatesh Iyer, brings explosive top-order power and all-around punch. He’s that kind of player who shifts momentum, FAST. 😮‍💨 Welcome to RCB, Venkatesh Iyer," another fan tweeted.

Rattiram

@Rattira58258012

Left-hand fire and fearless intent. 🔥​A big stage performer, Venkatesh Iyer, brings explosive top-order power and all-around punch.He’s that kind of player who shifts momentum, FAST. 😮‍💨​Welcome to RCB, Venkatesh Iyer.​#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPLAuction #BidForBold #IPLAuction

Below are some other reactions from fans on X -

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐍𝐘 𝐍𝐀𝐑𝐖𝐀𝐋

@TheSunnyNarwal

🚨 VENKATESH IYER SOLD TO RCB FOR 7 CRORES 🔥🔥 it's steal deal for rcb for No. 3#IPL2026Auction #IPLAuction

Techy Boost Deals 

@TechyBoostDeals

Venkatesh Iyer walking into RCB:Top order gets power.Middle order gets breathing room 🧠

Mahendra Manda

@Mahendra_manda1

Namma Bengaluru awaits the magic of Venkatesh Iyer. ​He will play for RCB now as they bought him for INR 7 Crore.

Akshat Dwivedi

@akshhhuuu

A veryy good buy...we cooked fs!❤️

V!JJU.

@WithOnlyOption

Could be a good season...he would be willing to prove himself

🇮🇳

@_Satyam_14

A fast bowling allrounder is a gem And getting at 7 cr which was 23 cr We are having rashikh salam and abhinandan singh ​Great backup at from opening to 6

Venkatesh was released by KKR after the 2025 season. He was acquired by them during the mega auction for a massive price of ₹23.75 crore. However, he failed to justify the huge price tag.

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Venkatesh Iyer smashes 43-ball 70 in SMAT 2025-26 on auction day

Iyer did not have a great IPL 2025 season. He managed to score just 142 runs from seven innings at an average of 20.28 and a strike rate of 139.21. However, he reminded everyone of his abilities with the bat on the morning of the IPL 2026 auction.

In the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025-26, the left-hander played a brilliant knock for Madhya Pradesh in their match against Punjab on December 16. Opening the batting, he smashed a solid half-century, making 70 runs off just 43 balls.

His impressive knock included eight boundaries and two sixes at a strike rate of 162.79.

Overall, he has a decent record in the IPL. In 56 innings, he has scored 1468 runs at a strike rate of 137.32 with a century and 12 half-centuries. Despite not having a great display last year, he will be keen to prove himself this time around with the defending champions.