About Venkatesh Iyer
Venkatesh Iyer is an Indian all-rounder who plays for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026. RCB bought him at the 2026 auction for ₹7 crore.
His IPL pay has moved from ₹20 lakh in 2021 (Kolkata Knight Riders) to ₹7 crore in 2026. Across the seasons listed below, his IPL contracts add up to about ₹54.95 crore.
Since making his IPL debut for Kolkata Knight Riders against Royal Challengers Bangalore on 20 September 2021, he has played 68 IPL matches, scoring 1,677 runs and taking 3 wickets.
Notable Achievements of Venkatesh Iyer in IPL
- IPL champion 2 times (2024, 2026): won the title with Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
- Highest IPL score: 104 off 51 balls against Mumbai Indians in 2023.
- IPL hundreds: 1, plus 13 fifties.
- Best batting season: 404 runs in 2023.
- Player of the Match: 4 awards in the IPL.
How Venkatesh Iyer’s Salary Compares at RCB
Venkatesh Iyer is the 7th highest-paid player in the 26-man RCB squad, taking about 5.5% of the team’s total player spend. The average RCB player earns about ₹4.86 crore in IPL 2026. In 2025 he earned ₹23.75 crore with Kolkata Knight Riders.