The KKR star suffers from an ankle injury and retires injured during the Ranji Trophy match

In a worrying development for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Ahead of IPL 2025, star all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer suffered a traumatic ankle injury during Ranji Trophy Match between Madhya Pradesh and Kerala on Thursday, January 23. The match, played in Trivandrum, saw Iyer retire in pain after a short and unfortunate spell at the crease.

Injury details

Iyer came in to bat at number six after Madhya Pradesh were reeling at 49/4 in the 18th over, following a strong bowling performance from Kerala, who elected to bowl first after winning the toss. Unfortunately, the 30-year-old only lasted three balls before twisting his ankle while trying to make a quick move. Iyer was grimacing in pain, was helped off the field by the team doctor and stand-in players, and was unable to continue his innings.

Venkatesh Iyer has sprained his ankle 🥲

Hoping for his speedy recovery 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/O9ifsPkX30

– Al Knights Club: KKR (@KnightClub_KKR) January 23, 2025

Later in the game, Ayer was seen in the dugout, one pillow still there, with his injured leg propped up on a chair. While the severity of the injury is yet to be confirmed, the incident has raised concerns for KKR, which has invested heavily in the all-round game during the IPL 2025 auction.

Also Read: Unwanted achievement for Shubman Gill as Punjab records lowest total for Ranji Trophy season 2024-25

Huge blow for KKR

The injury comes as 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 (Rs 26.75 crore) fetched higher bids. KKR’s aggressive pursuit of Iyer in the auction showed their belief in his abilities, as they saw off strong competition from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) To bring him back to their fold.

Iyer’s absence, if prolonged, could impact KKR’s title defense in a major way. The franchise is hoping that the injury is minor and the star all-rounder can recover in time for the 2025 IPL season, scheduled to begin in March.

KKR’s faith in Iyer stems from his impressive performance in the 2024 season. Iyer was released before the auction, and returned to the team with consistent performances, 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.

Iyer, known for his versatility, was a vital component of KKR’s side, contributing not only with the bat but also as a useful bowler. His ability to accelerate down the middle and finish games makes him a major asset for the defending champions. Losing him at any part of the season could derail KKR’s plans, as they look to maintain their dominance in IPL 2025.