Venkatesh Iyer battles injury, makes brave comeback to rescue MP from collapse: 'Outscores entire BGT squad'

Madhya Pradesh's Venkatesh Iyer displayed exceptional bravery on Thursday when he decided to continue batting despite suffering an injury during the Ranji Trophy match against Kerala. After his team found themselves in a difficult position at 49/4, Iyer twisted his ankle shortly after coming in to bat. Despite the obvious pain he was in, Iyer courageously got back on his feet and continued to bat, just three balls into his innings. His determination and resilience were truly commendable as he fought through the discomfort to help his team in a crucial situation.

The physio rushed onto the field, and soon, Iyer was seen limping off, with him walking off the field seeming to portray the worst fears of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) fans; the franchise bought him in the IPL 2025 auction for an incredible INR 23.75 crore.

But in a display of sheer grit and determination, Iyer made a remarkable comeback to the crease. Despite the lingering pain, he battled through the discomfort to contribute a crucial 42 runs off 80 balls. His fighting spirit and unwavering focus helped Madhya Pradesh reach a respectable total of 160, providing a glimmer of hope in a challenging situation. Fans applauded Iyer's grit on the internet.

Here's how the fans reacted:

Iyer's initial injury had sent shockwaves through the KKR camp. Having released him prior to the auction, KKR had engaged in a fierce bidding war with Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore to secure his services.

Iyer's impressive 2024 season, where he amassed 370 runs at an average of 46.25 and a strike rate of 158.79, had further solidified his value. The prospect of losing him to injury would have undoubtedly been a significant blow to KKR's title defense ambitions.

The left-handed batter was the ninth wicket to fall in Madhya Pradesh's innings, also at 160.

With KKR failing to buy back their 2024 IPL-winning captain Shreyas Iyer, it is widely speculated that Venkatesh Iyer could be in the reckoning for the leadership role; however, there has been no announcement from the franchise on the same.

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