Mumbai: Speaking exclusively on JioHotstar’s special show ‘Gen Bold’, KKR Vice-Captain Venkatesh Iyer reflected on his leadership style and how he supports his captain Ajinkya Rahane both on and off the field: “I think every captain has a different approach to the game. We have someone like Ajinkya in our team, who I feel is very composed and calm under pressure. My style of captaincy is a bit more dynamic, and that’s the beauty of cricket—people with different skill sets and mindsets coming together to contribute to the team. Ajinkya has already taken the initiative to speak to players, and I’ve been in regular conversation with him regarding the team—not just on-field strategies but also life off the field. I’m really happy to be playing under him.”
When asked how he plans to manage the expectations that come with his hefty price tag and new leadership responsibilities, Iyer shared: “To be honest, I’m not ignoring it completely—I’m a practical person. I know there’s pressure, and there’s a lot of talk around the price and all those things. But at the same time, that’s not in my control. What is in my control is the effort I put in to help the team win, and that remains constant—whether I’m paid ₹23 crore or ₹20 lakh. Once the tournament begins, that’s my only focus: to contribute in every way I can—not just with the bat and ball, but in my new leadership role as well. Everything else will take care of itself.”
Iyer spoke about the changing team environment with DJ Bravo coming in as a Mentor, after Gautam Gambhir’s departure:”DJ Bravo brings a lot of experience. As the most capped T20 player in the world, he obviously has a wealth of knowledge. Behind that fun element and enjoyment, he also has a tactically very smart brain. So, I think it’s on us to make use of it. Obviously, as players, we want to learn a lot from coaches. If you want to grow in your career, you have to learn from them. Gautam sir also had a very intense phase, but he was tactically very strong and kept the atmosphere of the dressing room very comfortable. The same comfortable atmosphere is still there, and I am very excited to play under DJ.”
Venkatesh reflects on his journey through the years of TATA IPL, saying:“One thing I’ve learned from playing IPL is to take it one game at a time—or rather, one moment at a time. Staying in the present is extremely important. I’ve learned this the hard way, and while it might sound simple, it’s really tough to practice. Over the years, I’ve developed the mind-set that only today’s moment, today’s match, and today’s practice matter. I try not to think about what’s already happened or what’s ahead.”
Iyer also spoke about his off-field interests and his unique way of staying grounded:“It’s really important to keep updating—not just your game, but your personality too. I’ve always been fond of academics—not because of any external pressure, but because it’s something I truly enjoy. It’s a productive switch-off for me. Working on a PhD might just be a cool flex when I retire from cricket! But more than that, it helps me make smarter decisions, both on and off the field.”
