Baba Indrajith bats with taped mouth after freak injury. In the first semifinal of the 2023 Vijay Hazare Trophy, Haryana beat Tamil Nadu by 63 runs.
On December 13, Baba Indrajith received widespread acclaim after walking out to bat with a tightly bandaged mouth during the 2023 Vijay Hazare Trophy semi-final match between Tamil Nadu and Haryana in Rajkot.
Tamil Nadu, chasing 294 runs for a spot in the final, lost their third wicket in the 14th over, with 54 runs on the board. Indrajith stepped out to bat with tape on his mouth after scoring 92 against Madhya Pradesh and 103 not out against Mumbai in his previous two innings. After only ten deliveries, the 29-year-old requested physiotherapy since he did not appear to be at peace. The physio quickly made his way out to the middle, joined by physicians from the stadium, to treat the right-handed hitter.
Also Read: Shaheen Afridi named vice-captain for Australia Test series
The white dressing removed, and padding was applied to Baba Indrajith top lip before taping it down
The veteran batsman continued his inning without displaying any symptoms of discomfort. Wickets were falling all around him, but Indrajith kept the scoreboard running. Anshul Kamboj removed the former Kolkata Knight Riders player after he scored 64 runs off 71 deliveries. Ankit Kumar made a wonderful catch. Tamil Nadu’s chances of reaching the finals were dashed when Indrajith was dismiss. They finally lost by 63 runs, and Haryana advanced to the title game.
Tamil Nadu captain Dinesh Karthik said after the game that Indrajith had wounded himself during the mid-innings break and had a serious cut on the top lip. Indrajith brought to the hospital immediately following the game, where he got sutures.
Later, the tenacious cricketer turned to his official Instagram account to admit that he had slipped as he was exiting the shower after an ice bath. He thanked his supporters and promised to return to action as soon as possible.
“I appreciate everyone’s concern and well-wishes. When I stepped out of the ice bath in the middle of the game, I slipped and fell horribly. I fell face-on in the restroom and was extremely startled. Bleeding from a serious incision on the top and inner lips. I managed to bat but was disappointed not to cross the finish line for the squad. I just received my sutures out of the hospital. I’ll be back shortly. Once again, thank you,” Indrajith said on Instagram.
Indrajith ended the 2023 Vijay Hazare Trophy as Tamil Nadu’s leading run-scorer, with 330 runs from seven innings at an excellent average of 66. Meanwhile, on Saturday, December 16, Haryana will meet the victor of the second semifinal between Rajasthan and Karnataka.
Also Read: Shaheen Afridi named vice-captain for Australia Test series