3 reasons why CSK must not target Venkatesh Iyer in IPL 2026 Auction

India all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer will be among the names in the spotlight at the IPL 2026 auction. The event is set to take place in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, December 16. Iyer was released by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) after the 2025 season.

He was acquired by them for a hefty price tag of ₹23.75 crore. With Venkatesh Iyer likely to be in demand at the auction table, the focus will also be on the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who will head into the auction with a huge purse of ₹43.40 crore.

Having traded out Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, CSK would look for all-rounders, and particularly Indian all-rounders, at the auction. While Venkatesh Iyer could be a tempting option, he may not be the best choice for the five-time champions.

That said, let us take a look at three reasons why CSK must not target the former KKR star.

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#3 Poor IPL 2025 performance and average recent form

Venkatesh Iyer was acquired by KKR for a massive price last season. However, he failed to live up to the hefty price tag. Moreover, his performance was way below par. He made just 142 runs in seven innings at an average of 20.28 and a strike rate of 139.21. The all-rounder did not bowl a single over in IPL 2025.

In addition, his recent form has been average as well. Playing for Madhya Pradesh in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025-26, he has scored just 133 runs from eight matches at an average of 22.16 and a strike rate of 106.0. With the ball, he has bowled 15 overs in seven games and has picked up only three wickets at an average of 42.66.

His performance in the previous IPL and recent domestic T20 returns do not offer reassurance in his abilities as an all-rounder or even a batter alone.

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#2 High auction cost and the need to fill other roles

Considering that it is going to be a mini auction, Venkatesh Iyer could once again go for more money as there would be a high demand for Indian all-rounders. Although CSK have a purse of ₹43.40 crore, burning a significant amount on Iyer would not be a sensible choice for them.

Having traded out Jadeja and Curran, CSK's priority would be to fill these holes in their line-up and find players more suitable as like-for-like replacements. As they have also released Matheesha Pathirana, they will need to find a solid overseas pacer. Moreover, with a decent core of Indian players on their side, they will also need to invest in some overseas firepower.

Therefore, going after Venkatesh Iyer could strain their purse and cost them the balance they desperately need after a poor season last year.

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#1 Venkatesh Iyer is not the ideal choice for a finisher that CSK need

With skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ayush Mhatre likely to open, followed by Sanju Samson (traded in), Urvil Patel, Shivam Dube, and Dewald Brevis, CSK have a good-looking top and middle order that seems set.

In this scenario, there would be no place for Venkatesh Iyer in the top five. The five-time champions need solid batters and finishers at numbers six and seven to fill the void left by Jadeja's absence. Iyer would therefore not fit into their XI and is not the ideal replacement for Jadeja as a finisher lower down the order.

CSK's retained core has the middle-order stability and reduces the need for Iyer despite being a left-hander. He may not be the perfect fit for their finishing needs.

Edited by Rishab Vm