Venkatesh Iyer is an Indian batting all-rounder who provides left-handed top-order batting and right-arm medium pace. In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Iyer began his career with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), making his debut in 2021. He played a significant role in KKR's run to the 2021 final and was a key contributor to their 2024 IPL championship victory, scoring 370 runs at an impressive strike rate of 158.80 that season. KKR bought him back for a massive ₹23.75 Crore during the 2025 mega auction. During the 2026 mini-auction, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) acquired him for ₹7 Crore to add versatility and top-order experience to their squad. Across his 62-match IPL career, Iyer has accumulated 1,468 runs at an average of 29.96 and an overall strike rate of 137.32. His franchise record includes 12 half-centuries, one century (104 against the Mumbai Indians in 2023), and 3 wickets.