‘Will be on CSK’s radar in IPL 2026 auction’ – Ashwin predicts KKR will release Venkatesh Iyer

1 day ago 14

Ravichandran Ashwin thinks that Venkatesh Iyer might be donning the yellow jersey in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. The former Indian spinner thinks that Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who paid a mammoth INR 23.75 crore for Venkatesh, won’t retain him, and we’ll see the left-handed batter in the IPL 2026 auction.

Will CSK bid for Venkatesh Iyer in IPL 2026 auction?

If the Sam Curran and Ravindra Jadeja trade to the Rajasthan Royals (RR) goes through, Ashwin thinks CSK will look to reinforce their batting. Since both Curran and Jadeja are left-handed batters, CSK will look for like-for-like replacements. He thinks one of Venkatesh or Nitish Rana can be a perfect pick for the 5-time IPL champions.

“CSK can really strengthen this side. The moment Sam Curran and Ravindra Jadeja have gone there (to RR), I see Nitish Rana coming into the auction. So, Nitish Rana and Venkatesh Iyer will 100% be on the radar of CSK. If Samson and Ruturaj open, it’ll be the best thing to happen. At 3, they’ll look at Venkatesh Iyer or Nitish Rana. Brevis and Dube will be at 4 and 5, and then they’ll try to insert Cameron Green at 6 because recently he has batted in the middle order for Australia,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

Venkatesh and Nitish are both great players of spin. In the former’s case, Ashwin even highlighted his solid performances at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Venkatesh averages 32 in Chepauk with a strike rate of 168.42. Albeit his poor performance in IPL 2025, Ashwin thinks someone like him, who sweeps well, can be perfect for CSK.

“Venkatesh Iyer has played one or two good innings in Chepauk. However, he is a replica of Shivam Dube with long levers down the ground. But he can play the sweep and reverse sweep. Nevertheless, someone like Nitish Rana, who is shorter, can access the square boundaries and use the bounce, and is an attractive option. There is a great chance he will come to CSK,” he added.