Venkatesh Iyer, the talented left-handed all-rounder, was snapped up by the Kolkata Knight Riders for an impressive sum of ₹23.75 crore during the 2025 IPL mega auction. In the past few seasons, he has been a part of the Kolkata-based franchise and has performed decently for them. The huge price tag highlights KKR’s confidence in Iyer’s ability to contribute significantly with both bat and ball, making him a key player for the upcoming season.
Recently, Venkatesh Iyer participated in a Ranji Trophy match between Madhya Pradesh and Kerala. According to reports, the all-rounder sustained an injury while batting and was seen limping throughout his innings. This news has raised concerns among fans and the Kolkata Knight Riders’ management, as Iyer is expected to play a crucial role for the team in the upcoming IPL season. His fitness will be closely monitored in the coming weeks to ensure he recovers in time for the tournament.
Here’s a list of 3 players who can replace Venkatesh Iyer in KKR’s IPL 2025 squad:
1: Prithvi Shaw
Opener Prithvi Shaw, who was once compared with cricket greats like Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, and Virender Sehwag, was released by his former franchise, the Delhi Capitals, and remained unsold in the 2025 IPL mega auction. The right-handed batter has a lot of potential but has been struggling due to discipline and attitude. He can be a good replacement for the Kolkata Knight Riders, who can bat at the top of the order.
From 79 IPL matches, Prithvi Shaw has managed to score a total of 1,892 runs with a strike rate and average of 147.46 and 23.94, respectively.
2: Mayank Agarawal
Veteran batter Mayank Agarawal, who has been a part of various IPL franchises, also went unsold in the auction and is up for grabs as a replacement to Venkatesh Iyer. The batter has been consistently scoring runs for Karnataka in the domestic circuit. He was released by Sunrisers Hyderabad before the 2025 IPL mega auction. The experienced batter can bat perfectly in the top 3, which can provide stability to the KKR batting lineup.
From 127 IPL matches, Mayank Agarawal has managed to score a total of 2,661 runs with a strike rate and average of 133.05 and 22.74, respectively.
3: Sarfaraz Khan
Young attacking batter Sarafaraz Khan, who played his last IPL game in 2023, is also available to replace KKR’s Venkatesh Iyer. The right-handed batter can also keep wickets for the side when needed. He is a young and hungry player who will be eager to prove himself in the IPL. The batter has proved his worth in the domestic circuit with pretty amazing stats.
From 50 IPL matches, Prithvi Shaw has managed to score a total of 585 runs with a strike rate and average of 130.58 and 22.50, respectively.
