Image: Venkatesh Iyer sustained an ankle injury during the match but is recovering well / © ESPNcricinfo
For the IPL 2025 season, Venkatesh Iyer’s participation is under doubt following an ankle injury sustained during Madhya Pradesh’s Ranji Trophy match against Kerala. The injury occurred in the 18th over when MP was struggling at 49/4. Iyer twisted his ankle and left the field after facing just three deliveries. Despite his discomfort, he returned later and scored a crucial 42 off 80 balls, including a six and a four, helping his team post a total of 160.
Reports suggest the injury is not serious, with Iyer resting as a precaution. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who secured him for ₹23.75 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction, remain optimistic about his recovery. Iyer has been pivotal for KKR since 2021, scoring 1,326 runs in the IPL at a strike rate of 137.12, including one century and 11 fifties. In the 2024 season, he contributed 370 runs at a striking rate of 158.79, aiding KKR’s title win.
Madhya Pradesh, struggling in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 with 10 points from five matches, relies heavily on Iyer, who has scored 330 runs at an average of 47.14 this season. His absence could impact their performance in upcoming matches.