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In a worrying development for Kolkata Knight 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 23 January. The match, held in Trivandrum, saw Iyer retire injured after a brief and unfortunate stint at the crease.
Details of the injury
Iyer came into bat at No.6 after Madhya Pradesh were reeling at 49/4 in the 18th over, after a good bowling performance from Kerala, who elected to bat first after winning the toss. Unfortunately, the 30-year-old lasted just three balls before twisting his ankle while attempting a quick move. Grimacing in pain, Iyer was helped off the field by the team’s physio and reserve players, unable to continue his innings.
Venkatesh Iyer has sprained his ankle 🥲
Waiting for your speedy recovery 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/O9ifsPkX30
— Knight Club: KKR (@KnightClub_KKR) January 23, 2025
Later in the match, Iyer was seen in the dugout, with a pad still on, his injured leg resting 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 major blow for KKR
The injury is a significant setback for KKR, who acquired Iyer for a whopping ₹26.5 crore, making him the third most expensive player in the IPL 2025 auction. Only Rishabh Pant (₹27 crore) and Shreyas Iyer (₹26.75 crore) fetched higher bids. KKR’s aggressive pursuit of Iyer in the auction showed their faith in his abilities as they saw off strong competition from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) i Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to bring him back to his fold.
Iyer’s absence, if prolonged, could significantly affect KKR’s title defence. The franchise will hope that the injury is minor and that the star all-rounder can recover in time for the IPL 2025 season, which is scheduled to start in March.
KKR’s faith in Iyer stems from his remarkable performance in the 2024 season. Released before the auction, Iyer forced 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, underscoring 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 handy bowler. His ability to accelerate through the middle and finish games makes him a key asset for defenders. Losing him for any part of the season could derail KKR’s plans as they look to maintain their dominance in IPL 2025.
