Madhya Pradesh’s Venkatesh Iyer displayed remarkable determination and courage as he overcame an ankle injury to stabilize his team’s innings during their Ranji Trophy match against Kerala on Thursday.
The setback occurred shortly after Iyer walked in to bat with Madhya Pradesh struggling at 49/4. Just three balls into his innings, Iyer twisted his ankle and collapsed to the ground, writhing in pain. The physio was immediately called to attend to him, and Iyer limped off the field, raising concerns among his fans and IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who had recently acquired him for a staggering ₹23.75 crore in the IPL 2025 auction.
A Gritty Comeback
Despite the injury, Iyer returned to the crease to help his team when it needed him the most. Battling through visible discomfort, he managed to score a vital 42 runs off 80 balls, anchoring Madhya Pradesh to a total of 160. His fighting innings ensured the team avoided a complete collapse, earning him applause from fans and cricketing pundits alike.
Fans and KKR React to Iyer’s Determination
Iyer’s injury initially sent shockwaves through KKR, who had engaged in an intense bidding war with Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore to bring him back after releasing him earlier. The all-rounder’s stellar 2024 IPL season, where he scored 370 runs at an average of 46.25 and a strike rate of 158.79, had cemented his value, making him a critical asset for KKR’s title defense campaign.
The possibility of an extended injury layoff could have been a major blow to KKR, especially with speculation mounting that Iyer could take over as captain following the franchise’s inability to retain their IPL-winning skipper, Shreyas Iyer. However, Iyer’s return to action and his courageous performance reassured fans and bolstered hopes for his fitness ahead of the IPL season.
A Fighting Spirit
Venkatesh Iyer’s resilience on the field was a testament to his character and dedication. His innings not only salvaged Madhya Pradesh’s first-innings total but also underscored his importance as a leader and performer, whether in domestic cricket or for his IPL franchise.
