Injury scare for KKR ahead of IPL 2025 as Venkatesh Iyer suffers ankle twist in Ranji Trophy and walks off the field

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KKR roped in Venkatesh Iyer for a whopping INR 23.75 crores during the IPL 2025 mega auction.
Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) faced a significant scare as Venkatesh Iyer sustained an ankle twist during Madhya Pradesh’s Ranji Trophy clash against Kerala on January 23.
KKR had roped in Iyer for a whopping INR 23.75 crores during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction. The Indian all-rounder is also considered a strong contender for the franchise’s captaincy for the upcoming season.
Venkatesh batted in the middle order for KKR during IPL 2024 and played a pivotal role in their title-winning campaign. He scored 370 runs in 14 games at an impressive strike rate of 159.
Having made his international debut in 2021, Venkatesh has garnered support from cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, who has backed him as a potential all-rounder for India’s upcoming tour of England in June 2025.
Venkatesh Iyer suffers ankle injury during Ranji Trophy
Venkatesh sustained a leg injury on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy clash between Madhya Pradesh (MP) and Kerala on January 23. Batting first, MP found themselves struggling at 49/4 when Iyer stepped in to bat during the 18th over.
Iyer’s time at the crease was cut short after just three deliveries when he rolled his ankle while attempting a front-foot flick. The southpaw, visibly in pain, walked off the field, assisted by the MP physio and a few reserve players.
Iyer has been a vital asset for the Knight Riders, showcasing his versatility by playing in multiple positions for the team. He has amassed 1,326 runs in 50 matches for the franchise and has also contributed with the ball occasionally.
His last international appearance was in February 2022 in a T20I against Sri Lanka at Dharamsala, where he scored five runs off four balls and didn’t get an opportunity to bowl.
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