Anil Kumble has advised Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to target former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) player Venkatesh Iyer at the upcoming IPL 2026 mini auction. Iyer made a strong statement with his performance in a recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Elite 2025 match, scoring 70 runs off 43 balls. KKR released Iyer after a disappointing IPL 2025 season where he only managed 142 runs in 11 matches.
Kumble believes that Iyer’s flexibility and experience as an Indian international player make him a valuable asset for RCB. However, he acknowledges that the final decision will depend on the price, as RCB has a limited budget of 16 crores. Kumble also suggested that RCB prioritize strengthening their fast bowling unit and consider adding an Indian fast bowler as backup.
Iyer had a successful debut season with KKR in 2021 but struggled in subsequent seasons before showing promise again in 2023. He was bought back by KKR for a record ₹23.75 crore in the 2025 auction but was released due to his performance. If Iyer is available at a reasonable price, Kumble believes RCB should consider adding him to their squad.
Follow Franchise Cricket for more IPL news.
