Madhya Pradesh all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer sparked concern among Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) fans after twisting his ankle during the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 match against Kerala on Thursday, January 23, at St Xavier’s College Ground in Thumba, Thiruvananthapuram. Stepping onto the pitch with his team struggling at 49/4 in 17.2 overs, Iyer faced immense pressure to stabilize the innings and guide his side to a respectable total.
Unfortunately, his time at the crease was short-lived. Iyer faced only three deliveries before he twisted his ankle while batting. The pain was evident as he collapsed on the field, prompting immediate attention from the team’s physio. Following the incident, he was seen leaving the field with assistance, having retired hurt.
Venkatesh Iyer has left the field after appearing to twist his ankle. He is now seated in the dugout with one pad still on, resting his injured leg on a chair. pic.twitter.com/ZAFPLjYYD6
— KKR Karavan (@KkrKaravan) January 23, 2025
Later in the game, Iyer was spotted in the dugout, wearing one pad and resting his injured leg on a chair. After being carried off the field due to a severe ankle twist, he made a remarkable comeback and scored an important 42 runs.
🚨🗞️: Well played Venkatesh Iyer Batted throughout with injury 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/Ld9iZj1Hj9
— Team Southern Knights (@team_southern12) January 23, 2025
His injury has raised alarms among KKR supporters, especially considering the franchise secured him for a staggering Rs 23.75 crore during the mega auction for the Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025). Iyer had previously been released by KKR prior to the auction, failing to make the cut in their six retentions. However, the franchise was determined to bring him back, engaging in fierce bidding against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
Iyer’s performance in the 2024 season was impressive, accumulating 370 runs in 15 matches (13 innings) at an average of 46.25 and a strike rate of 158.79, including four half-centuries. His potential absence could significantly impact KKR as they defend their title in the upcoming season. Yet, there is hope for fans; Iyer was recently seen donning both of his pads, hinting at a possible return to action. As the situation unfolds, supporters remain hopeful for his swift recovery and return to the field.
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