Venkatesh Iyer reveals prolonged hate from KKR fans over Shubman Gill

Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter Venkatesh Iyer has revealed that he continues to face online hate from Kolkata Knight Riders supporters over the franchise's decision to retain him instead of Shubman Gill ahead of the 2022 IPL season, as reported by NDTV Profit.

Speaking on former India cricketer Aakash Chopra's Baith & Bol podcast, Iyer said the trolling resurfaces whenever Gill scores a century. KKR supporters post comments suggesting that the franchise lost a valuable player by releasing Gill and retaining him.

Iyer said he faced criticism on two occasions: when KKR retained him instead of Gill and when the money was spent on him after Shreyas Iyer was not picked. He said social media users made him feel responsible for supporters' disappointment, although he had not asked for either decision. Both were management calls, he explained.

He also spoke about approaching KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan after the franchise decided to release him ahead of the 2026 auction. Iyer said he had asked the actor about the decision. He added that he had already begun preparing for life outside KKR and was not considering a pay cut.

Iyer was eventually picked by RCB.