In a worrying development for Calcutta Knights Riders (KKR) Ahead of IPL 2025, star all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer suffered a painful ankle injury during a Ranji Trophy clash between Madhya Pradesh and Kerala on Thursday, January 23. In the match, held in Trivandrum, Iyer retired injured after a brief and unfortunate spell in the box.
Injury details
Iyer came in to bat at number 6 after Madhya Pradesh reeled at 49/4 in the 18th over, following a strong bowling performance from Kerala, who opted to field first after winning the toss. Unfortunately, the 30-year-old only lasted three balls before twisting his ankle while attempting a flick. Grimacing in pain, Iyer was helped off the field by the physiotherapist and reserve players, unable to continue his innings.
Venkatesh Iyer has sprained his ankle 🥲
Hoping for your speedy recovery 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/O9ifsPkX30
– Gentlemen’s Club: KKR (@KnightClub_KKR) January 23, 2025
Later in the game, Iyer was seen in the dugout, with a pad still on and his injured leg propped up on a chair. While the exact severity of the injury is yet to be confirmed, the incident has raised concerns for KKR, who had invested heavily in the all-rounder during the IPL 2025 auction.
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A hard blow for KKR
The injury is a major setback for KKR, who acquired Iyer for a whopping Rs 26.5 crore, making him the third most expensive player in the IPL 2025 auction. Only Rishabh Pant (Rs 27 crore) and Shreyas Iyer (26.75 crore) got higher bids. KKR’s aggressive pursuit of Iyer at the auction demonstrated their faith in his abilities as they overcame strong competition from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to bring him back to his fold.
Iyer’s absence, if prolonged, could significantly impact KKR’s title defence. The franchise hopes the injury is minor and the star can recover in time for the IPL 2025 season, scheduled to begin in March.
KKR’s faith in Iyer stems from his notable performance in the 2024 season. Released before the auction, Iyer fought his way back into the team with consistent displays, scoring 370 runs in 13 innings at an impressive average of 46.25 and a strike rate of 158.79. His campaign included four half-centuries, underlining his importance to the team’s batting line-up.
Known for his versatility, Iyer has been a vital cog for KKR, contributing not only with the bat but also as a skilled bowler. His ability to accelerate in the middle games and finish games makes him a key asset for the defending champions. Losing him for any part of the season could derail KKR’s plans as they look to maintain their dominance in IPL 2025.