Coimbatore: Venkatesh Iyer, an all-rounder for India who was injured on Friday during a Duleep Trophy match when a wayward throw struck him in the neck, is recovering well and has been released from the hospital.
Iyer, who is playing for Central Zone, opened his account with West Zone seamer Chintan Gaja in the post-lunch session. He returned the following ball to Gaja, who angrily flung it back at Iyer, striking the batter in the neck.
A doctor on duty rushed to the field as the 27-year-old immediately collapsed to the ground, generating some stressful and unpleasant moments at SNR College Cricket Ground. The stretcher was also out when the ambulance pulled up in the centre of the ground. The all-rounder ultimately made the painful decision to leave the sport, though.
Later, Iyer returned to the ground, and Tanush Kotian fired him on the number 14. He was also brought to the hospital for the usual scans, and after being cleared, he was released. “He is fine and back in the team hotel. I have spoken to him and he looks quite ok now," the incident occurred at the venue, according to a TNCA official who was present, who spoke to Cricbuzz.
“It was a relief that there was no concussion. He did not feel dizzy and he looked fine. But he went off the field and the doctors on duty attended to him. He came back to bat again. After he got out, he was taken to the Kauvery Hospital in the city and all things appeared normal. He has sounded fine," the official added.
Iyer, who has participated in two ODIs and nine T20Is, has not been given a chance by selection. “I was hit below my ear. It was a shock initially but I am absolutely fine," the KKR all-rounder said. Asked whether he will be able to play in the second innings, he said, “I don’t know, I have been kept under 24-hour observation. I will have to see how things go."
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