Overview
- Ex-CSK batter Anirudha Srikkanth said on Star Sports that Venkatesh Iyer would be an ideal No. 4 for Gujarat Titans and predicted KKR will release him after his ₹23.75 crore price tag.
- News18 reported that KKR have not announced retention plans for Iyer, who managed 142 runs in 11 matches in 2025 after stronger returns in 2023 and their 2024 title run.
- Gujarat Titans finished third in the IPL 2025 league stage with nine wins, with Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler each surpassing 500 runs as the middle order faltered.
- InsideSport urged GT to retain Gill, Sudharsan and Buttler and recommended releasing Shahrukh Khan, Karim Janat and Kumar Kushagra, citing 2025 form and role fit.
- Analysts, including Matthew Hayden, highlighted over-reliance on the top order, underscoring the franchise’s intent to prioritize middle-order reinforcements at the mini-auction.