Madhya Pradesh’s middle-order batter Venkatesh Iyer twisted his ankle and had to leave the field during the Ranji Trophy Elite 2024-25 match against Kerala.
This shocking news resulted in Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) finding themselves in a tough spot ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Having invested a whopping sum of INR 23.75 crore on their star player during the IPL 2025 mega auction, the defending champions handling a huge task to appoint their next captain would face a huge blow if the injury was severe.
The southpaw was spotted suffering from horrible pain while the team’s physio immediately rushed onto the field. At one stage, it was one of the worst moments for KKR fans to watch Iyer limping off and walking away from the field.
How Venkatesh Iyer Sustained an Ankle Injury?
Venkatesh Iyer facing his third delivery straightaway lost his balance and collapsed on the pitch in severe pain when the ball struck his ankle. He arrived in the 18th over of the opening day after Madhya Pradesh found themselves trapped at 49-4 in 17.2 overs against Kerala.
With no option left, the all-rounder was forced to retire hurt. The reserve players and the physiotherapist came to his rescue to help him move off the field.
The left-handed batter was unfortunate to end his innings in a crucial phase of the match when the entire batting line-up was relying on his presence to revive the team’s performance after a shaky start.
Venkatesh Iyer’s Determination to Continue Batting on Day 1 Despite an Injury
Even after struggling with miserable pain, Venkatesh Iyer made a stunning comeback to the crease. When his team’s score deteriorated to 95-7 in 35.1 overs, this young promising cricketer showed a perfect example of uncompromising willpower and determination.
He batted through the discomfort at the No.6 spot and contributed a crucial 80-ball-42 run-knock at a strike rate of 52.50, which included 2 fours and a six.
With the limp still noticeable, the seam bowling all-rounder didn’t allow his injured ankle to fade away his presence on the crease. Iyer maintained a noteworthy 43-run partnership for the ninth wicket with the pacer Avesh Khan which further helped to accelerate the team’s total.
The 30-year-old’s fighting performance and sheer focus supported by Shubham Sharma’s 134-ball-54-run-knock (including 3 fours) guided Madhya Pradesh to post a manageable total of 160 in 60.2 overs on Day 1.
Is Venkatesh Iyer’s Ankle Twist Severe? Latest Reports Reveal the Facts
The latest reports have shed some clarity stating that Venkatesh Iyer’s ankle injury isn’t very severe. With his enhanced recovery process, the Madhya Pradesh team management followed a precautionary approach to keep him off the field on Day 2 (January 24).
However, Iyer did not bat at his No.6 spot for Madhya Pradesh in the second innings on Day 3. Rather, Saransh Jain was promoted ahead in the batting order which raises concerns about the severity of the KKR’s star batters injury.
A Huge Relief For KKR Management and Fans on Day 1
Venkatesh Iyer’s comeback to the field on the first day provided a sigh of relief for the entire KKR management and fans.
With two months away from the IPL 2025, the Knight Riders praised the rising talent on its social media handles with a popular caption“Wow! Fighter Hain Apnaa Iyer”. In English, it means “Our Iyer is a Fighter”.
In response, fans lauded Venkatesh on social media for showing his grit under challenging situations.
A few users commented on the post suggesting the management declare him the next KKR skipper for the 18th season. Although the official confirmation is still pending, the Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan’s co-owned franchise might have extravagant plans for Iyer having spent a lucrative amount on the batting all-rounder.
Venkatesh Iyer’s Contribution to Madhya Pradesh in Ranji Trophy 2024-25
Venkatesh Iyer scored 330 runs in 7 innings for Madhya Pradesh in the ongoing Ranji Trophy Elite 2024-25. His notable performances include a century and a half-century against Bihar and Bengal respectively.
With a hattrick of draws against Karnataka, Punjab, and Haryana, MP witnessed a struggling start in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25.
Even though the team bounced back by defeating Bihar by an innings and 108 runs, they secured just 10 points with a +1.112 net-run-rate (NRR) after losing to Bengal by 11 runs.
Here are Iyer’s scores in the tournament updated as of 24th January 2025:
| Opponent Team | First Innings Score | Second Innings Score |
| Karnataka | 26 runs from 49 balls (including 2 sixes) | Did Not Bat |
| Haryana | 4 runs from 4 balls (including 1 four) | 28 runs from 41 balls (including 1 four and 1 six) |
| Bihar | 174 runs from 176 balls (including 17 fours and 4 sixes) | Did Not Bat |
| Bengal | 3 runs from 8 balls | 53 runs from 95 balls (including 8 fours) |
| Kerala (Ongoing Match) | 42 runs from 80 balls (including 2 fours and 1 six) | Yet to Bat |
Venkatesh Iyer’s Injury Scare: A Caution for KKR
Venkatesh Iyer has been a valuable asset for KKR since his IPL debut for the franchise in 2021. In the previous season, he was the third top-scoring batter for his side after Sunil Narine and Phil Salt, amassing 370 runs in 15 matches at an average of 46.25, which includes 4 fifties with the best score of 70.
However, KKR’s strategy during the two-day bidding event indicated that every penny spent on their core player was undoubtedly worth it.
The three-time champions engaged in a fierce bidding war with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to invite Venkatesh back into the squad. This spiked his price tag as the third highest-priced cricketer in the auction after Rishabh Pant (INR 27 crore) and Shreyas Iyer (INR 26.75 crore).
Iyer’s return to action was a piece of great news for KKR. Furthermore, the scan reports will reveal the true extent of his injury in the upcoming days as it becomes tougher for the franchise to find a potential replacement of his caliber for IPL 2025.
