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Venkatesh Iyer Accepts Bench Role at RCB, Credits Coaches for Clear Plan

A settled title‑winning XI has curtailed his chances, prompting a focus on mentorship plus red‑ball work.

Overview

  • Iyer, who addressed reporters Wednesday, said he accepts limited game time at Royal Challengers Bengaluru and praised Mo Bobat, Andy Flower and Dinesh Karthik for spelling out his role.
  • He has played only one of RCB’s first six matches in IPL 2026 and stays ready for Impact Player opportunities, the in-game substitution rule that can open short-notice slots.
  • He pointed to RCB’s status as defending champions as the main reason for a stable lineup and said his chance is a matter of when rather than if.
  • He noted his auction price dropped to Rs 7 crore after leaving Kolkata Knight Riders from a previous Rs 23.75 crore, yet he said his motivation remains high with a train-to-play-every-game mindset.
  • He is using nets to refine red-ball bowling with guidance from Josh Hazlewood, keeps a red ball in his kit, and hopes to carry those gains into Madhya Pradesh’s Ranji Trophy push.