Rahane Defends Venkatesh Iyer Amid Price Tag Pressure After Disappointing IPL 2025 Campaign

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) had a disappointing IPL 2025 season. They finished eighth on the points table. In their last match, they lost badly to SunRisers Hyderabad by 110 runs. One of the big letdowns for KKR was Venkatesh Iyer. He could not live up to the high expectations after being bought for a huge amount in the auction.

Rahane Defends Iyer’s Commitment

After the final match, KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane spoke to the media. He supported Venkatesh Iyer strongly. Iyer scored only 142 runs in 11 matches. His average was just over 20. His strike rate was 139.22. He also missed a few games due to injury.

Despite these numbers, Rahane said Iyer gave his best. “It’s not about how much a player earns,” Rahane said. “A player’s attitude doesn’t depend on salary. What matters is how you prepare and how you think. That’s what Venkatesh did right.”

Rahane praised Iyer’s work ethic and mindset. He said Iyer always tried to contribute, even when not playing. “His intent was good. He worked hard in the nets. He was positive all the time,” Rahane added.

Team’s Form Was the Main Issue

Rahane also pointed out the form of other key players. He said that many players were out of form this season. That affected the team’s chances. “If three or four main players don’t perform, the team will struggle,” he said.

Players like Quinton de Kock, Ramandeep Singh, and Harshit Rana also did not perform well. This left too much pressure on the rest of the squad.

Focus on Team, Not Money

Rahane made it clear that money doesn’t play a role in performance. He said professional cricketers always want to do well, no matter how much they are paid. “It’s not about 20 crore or 2 crore. It’s about what you bring to the field,” he said.

While KKR’s season ended in disappointment, Rahane’s words show strong support for his players. He believes in their effort and attitude. The team will now look to bounce back stronger next year.

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