India, Dec. 9 -- Venkatesh Iyer enters the IPL 2026 mini-auction as a classic reset case. KKR pushed a bidding war up to INR 23.75 cr for him at the last mega auction, then let him go after an underwhelming season with only modest returns.

He is back in the pool at an INR 2 cr base price, one of the only two Indians in that top bracket alongside Ravi Bishnoi. A left-handed top-order bat who can bowl seam is still rare, so the real question is: who can pay serious money for that profile without repeating KKR's mistake?

On roles, purse, and history, three suitors stand out.

CSK arrive with an INR 43.3 crore purse and nine open slots. With Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran both moving out, they suddenly lack a left-handed batting all-rounder...