The 1st semi-final of the 2022 Duleep Trophy between West Zone and Central Zone saw a near-horror incident take place on the ground as a furious and needless throw from Chintan Gaja hit Venkatesh Iyer on his neck.
For those unversed, Venkatesh Iyer plays for KKR and was one of the breakout stars of IPL 2021 which eventually helped him represent Team India.
The West Zone had scored 257 from their first innings before Central Zone (for whom Iyer plays) got their chance to bat on the game’s 2nd day.
A medical ambulance enters the ground as Iyer gets injured
Coming in to bat with Central Zone 5 for 66, the left-hander chose to counter-attack and hit a six off Chintan Gaja to open his account in a ballistic fashion.
However, medium-pacer Gaja –who was feeling the heat of the semi-final and had just dismissed Rinku Singh did not enjoy the aggressive stroke from Venkatesh Iyer.
Iyer defended the next ball back to Gaja –who in a rush of blood– fired a furious and unnecessary throw at the batsman.
Upon being hit by Chintan’s vengeful throw on his neck, Venkatesh Iyer collapsed to the ground and an emergency ambulance had to enter the ground to take him off.
Nonetheless, as the stretcher was laid out from the ambulance, Iyer chose to not lay on it. Rather, the batter walked out of the Pavillion on his own.
Though the neck injury seemed to be fatal at first sight, Venkatesh Iyer (14 off 9) came back to bat after a while and smacked a couple of more boundaries before his dismissal in the 37th over of Central Zone’s innings.
CZ was bowled out for just 128 following which a Prithvi Shaw-inspired West Zone zipped to 130 for 3 off 29 overs and led Central Zone by 259 runs before stumps were declared for Day 2.
Shaw made a glittering 60 in the first innings and is currently looking dangerous on 104*(96).