Venkatesh Iyer, despite being RCB’s costliest buy at ₹7 crore, has had limited playtime this season. He has participated in just one of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s seven matches so far.
Iyer scored a modest 12 runs off 15 balls against the Gujarat Titans. This performance marks a significant drop from his previous seasons. In 2023, he amassed 404 runs in 14 matches at an impressive strike rate of 145.84. His debut season in 2021 saw him score 370 runs over 10 games for the Kolkata Knight Riders.
His role as an Impact Player has not materialized as expected. Iyer was sent in at number nine against the Titans, which raised eyebrows among fans and analysts alike. He did form a small partnership with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, adding 29 runs off 30 balls.
Venkatesh Iyer stated, “You can get anything done out of me for the team.” This statement reflects his commitment to contribute despite limited opportunities.
As the IPL 2026 progresses, observers are keen to see if Iyer will secure more playing time and regain his form from previous seasons. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru will need him to step up if they wish to improve their standings against teams like the Gujarat Titans and others in the league.