KKR Chose Venkatesh Iyer Over Shubman Gill in 2021: ₹23.75 Crore Star Faces Social Media Backlash
KKR Chose Venkatesh Iyer Over Shubman Gill in 2021: ₹23.75 Crore Star Faces Social Media Backlash
Introduction
Indian Premier League (IPL) decisions have often stirred up controversies, but few have reignited debates like the Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) 2021 retention call. This week, social media was ablaze after an old decision resurfaced—KKR chose to retain Venkatesh Iyer instead of Shubman Gill. Fans and critics alike took to platforms like Twitter and Instagram to express their outrage, especially with Shubman Gill now leading Gujarat Titans and being one of the top-performing players in the IPL.
The 2021 IPL Retention Decision
Ahead of the mega auction in 2022, each franchise had the option to retain a maximum of four players. KKR retained Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, and Venkatesh Iyer. This meant releasing Shubman Gill, who had shown considerable promise as an opener and was touted as the next big thing in Indian cricket.
Venkatesh Iyer, on the other hand, had just come off a breakthrough IPL 2021 season where he played a pivotal role in KKR’s journey to the finals. His explosive batting as an opener and his part-time bowling made him an attractive all-round option. But many felt that letting go of a technically sound and consistent batter like Gill was a mistake.
Shubman Gill’s Rise with Gujarat Titans
Post-KKR, Shubman Gill was picked up by Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2022 auction. His rise since then has been nothing short of phenomenal. In IPL 2023, Gill emerged as the Orange Cap winner, scoring 890 runs in the season—the second-highest in IPL history after Virat Kohli’s 973 runs in 2016.
His performance not only helped Gujarat Titans reach the finals in back-to-back seasons but also solidified his place in India’s T20 and ODI teams. His ability to anchor the innings while also accelerating at the right time has drawn comparisons with legends like Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid.
To know more about his current stats and career updates, visit Gill’s official Cricbuzz profile.
Venkatesh Iyer’s Struggles and Inconsistencies
While Venkatesh Iyer had a dream debut IPL season in 2021, his form has dipped in recent editions. Though he has played some impactful innings for KKR, including a century in IPL 2023, his inconsistency and struggles against quality bowling have raised eyebrows.
Moreover, his role as a part-time bowler hasn’t evolved much. In the 2024 season, he was retained for ₹8 crore, while KKR also splurged ₹23.75 crore on Australian speedster Mitchell Starc, creating further buzz. Many fans believe the funds could’ve been better utilized, especially considering the talent that was let go.
Social Media Outrage
The decision to retain Venkatesh Iyer over Shubman Gill has aged poorly, according to netizens. As Shubman continues to dazzle with his stroke play and composure, KKR’s management is facing massive criticism online.
Trending Hashtags
- #KKRBlunder
- #ShubmanGill
- #IPL2025
- #VenkateshIyer
Fan Reactions
“KKR let go of a future captain and India’s best opener for an inconsistent all-rounder. Gill is class. #KKRBlunder” – @cricketfreak28
“Imagine keeping Iyer and dropping Gill. KKR doesn’t deserve talent. #IPL2025” – @sportsbuff95
Meme pages and cricket forums are flooded with sarcastic posts and throwbacks, further fueling the fire.
What the Experts Say
Cricket pundits have also weighed in. Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra mentioned in a recent podcast:
“Venkatesh had an amazing season, but Shubman is built for the long haul. If you’re building a team for the future, you always back a technically gifted player with consistency over a one-season wonder.”
Michael Vaughan also chimed in, saying Gill is a “generational talent” and “a future India captain.”
KKR’s Perspective
KKR management hasn’t released any official statement regarding the backlash. However, team insiders suggest that the decision was based on Iyer’s explosive form and potential as an all-rounder in T20 cricket. At the time, Gill was viewed more as a classical batsman, which doesn’t always translate to T20 success.
Despite this, KKR fans now wonder what could have been had the franchise made a different call in 2021.
Comparing the Stats (2021–2024)
| Player | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shubman Gill | 52 | 1800+ | 48.65 | 135+ | 3 | Orange Cap (2023) |
| Venkatesh Iyer | 45 | 1200+ | 29.15 | 132+ | 1 | IPL 2021 Finalist (KKR) |
The gap in performance is clear, and the stats only reinforce fans’ sentiments.
Looking Ahead: Future of Both Players
While Gill continues to grow in stature, both in domestic and international cricket, Iyer has a chance to prove his critics wrong in the remaining IPL 2025 fixtures. KKR still trusts his capabilities, and the franchise hopes he can rediscover his 2021 magic.
But for now, Shubman Gill appears to be the one that got away.
Conclusion
The IPL is full of surprises, and with mega auctions and player retentions, franchises often make difficult calls. However, the decision to retain Venkatesh Iyer over Shubman Gill in 2021 is one that continues to haunt KKR fans.
As Gill scales new heights and KKR battles inconsistency, this decision serves as a reminder that cricket is as much about vision as it is about statistics.
Whether KKR will rethink their retention strategy in the future remains to be seen. But one thing is clear—fans haven’t forgotten, and neither has social media.
For the latest cricket updates, visit ESPNcricinfo or IPL’s official website.
