IPL 2023: Doctors told I would not be able to run fast like before - Venkatesh Iyer on his 'freakish injury'

IPL 2023: After becoming only the second Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter to hit an IPL hundred on Sunday, Venkatesh Iyer has said that he has nothing but gratitude for everything he has achieved in his life. The 28-year-old scored 104 runs off 51 balls against Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

The 28-year-old said that he never thought he would play for India, and so a comeback was not something which he keeps on thinking about. He also opened up on his "freakish" injury which forced him to spend almost a five-month rehabilitation period at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

"Not at all. I just have gratitude for what I have. I got the opportunity to play for India. I don't believe in losing the place and coming back, that is not something I look at. That is not in my hand. I never thought I would be playing for India when I played IPL in Abu Dhabi.

"That is not the part of my process, I just want to go there and explore what I can do on a cricket field. As far as this season goes, it is Venkatesh Iyer doing what is correct for the team and not individually. The clarity given to me is amazing, looking to execute that plan," Venkatesh, who made his India debut in November 2021, said in the post-match press conference.

The all-rounder played nine T20Is and two ODIs for India between November 2021 to February 2022 but initially lost his place in the squad. In absence of Hardik Pandya who was recovering from lower back injury back then, Iyer was being touted as the next big seam-bowling all-rounder for India.

The Madhya Pradesh cricketer has opened up about his career-threatening injury and revealed how the doctors told him that he would not be able to run fast like before.

"IPL is my comeback tournament. I broke my ankle six months back. subtalar joint had come out and it was a very freakish accident. But really fortunate to be in a system where the BCCI takes care of me. Everything was taken care of. I spent almost four-and-a-half months at the NCA.

"The doctors and trainers helped me come out of this phase. Injury doesn't take a toll on your body just physically but mentally as well. Coming back and playing was something which made me smile. Many doctors told me I would not be able to run as fast as I normally would. That would disappoint me. I am really happy I am back on the field and doing what I love," he added.

Talking about the match, Iyer's knock went in vain as KKR lost the match to MI by 5 wickets.