Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) is seemingly in a never-ending series of troubles. Ahead of the clash with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Chepauk on April 14, the team from Kolkata has multiple issues inside their squad, including the injury of Varun Chakravarthy.
Former Team India and former KKR opener Aakash Chopra, in this YouTube video, shared that Varun Chakravarthy may have a hairline fracture, for which he remains uncertain to play against CSK as well.
Off-form Varun Chakravarthy’s fitness under the scanner
Since the Super 8 stage of the 2026 T20 World Cup, the Indian spinner has been struggling with his form. In the two matches he has played so far for KKR in the IPL 2026 season, the spinner went wicketless, conceding 79 runs in six overs. Due to injury, he missed the previous two games.
Varun Chakravarthy conducted bowling sessions in the nets ahead of the CSK vs KKR match. But Aakash Chopra noted that the bowler still has his left hand bandaged. Chopra informed that the 34-year-old may have a hairline fracture in the left hand.
Matheesha Pathirana remains unavailable to play for the Kolkata Knight Riders
Along with Varun Chakravarthy, KKR has concerns over their overseas pacer Matheesha Pathirana as well. The Sri Lankan pacer received his fitness certificate from the board after pursuing the fitness protocols, but remains unavailable to play for the Knight Riders against the Chennai Super Kings.
“Pathirana is fit but not available. He has the fitness certificate, but is unavailable for this match. It would have been great had Pathirana come as he had played for Chennai only, and could have played against them now, but KKR’s problems are not ending,” Aakash Chopra said in his YouTube channel.
Chopra felt that, despite having a poor record in recent times, Varun could be managed to deliver against CSK as he knows the ground and conditions very well.
“They are a team that is still searching for a win. Varun Chakaravarthy has started bowling; that’s good news, but his hand is still bandaged. Hairline fracture is what I have heard. He is from Chennai only. Even though his current form is not great, you feel he would do better if he plays. If he is available, you might see him playing in place of Anukul Roy,” he further added.
Will Varun Chakravarthy play vs CSK?
Ahead of the match, a KKR spokesperson told the media that the spinner had a bandage on his hand, but he practiced well in the nets.
“So, Varun’s been training. He’s had a bandage on his hand, but he’s still training. He’s been training for all the days leading up to this match, so he’s good,” a KKR spokesperson told the media in the pre-match press conference.
The former cricketer suggests KKR keep trust in the Caribbean batter Rovman Powell and ask the team to promote Cameron Green in the batting order.
“The rest of the team is the same that played the last match, in which I feel Rovman Powell needs to play. I have just one suggestion. You are giving Cameron Green nearly INR 2 crore, INR 1.8 crore to be precise, per match. So make him bat slightly up the order,’ Aakash Chopra opined.
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