Latest update arrives on Chakaravarthy's injury [Source: AP]On Wednesday, a crucial IPL match takes place as the defending champions, RCB, will collide with the in-form KKR in Raipur. This would be the first meeting between the two sides this season, and it could decide their fate for the remainder of the IPL 2026.RCB is currently top of the table, and a win against the Knight Riders could take them through to the playoffs. On the other hand, KKR is still alive in the playoff race, and if they beat RCB, the Ajinkya Rahane-led side automatically gets a solid chance to qualify.On a sluggish Raipur wicket, KKR’s spin-bowling department could decide the fate of the contest, but the visitors will be under slight pressure as dark clouds loom over their star spinner, Varun Chakaravarthy’s availability.Varun Chakaravarthy battling injuryThe Tamil Nadu spinner has been KKR’s best bowler in the IPL 2026 with 10 wickets, and often the spinner breaks the partnerships in the middle-overs.The wily spinner sustained a leg injury during KKR’s last IPL match vs DC as he struggled to complete his quota of four overs. He was eventually substituted as Finn Allen replaced him as an impact player, but the spinner was observed facing difficulty while going off the field.On May 10, Chakaravarthy was seen wearing knee braces and using crutches, which indicated that he might not be fit to play against RCB in a crucial IPL 2026 contest.Shane Watson provides crucial update on Chakaravarthy's injuryAhead of the RCB Vs KKR IPL match, KKR assistant coach Shane Watson gave an official update on Chakravarthy’s availability, as fans sweat hard before the must-win clash.“Varun Chakravarthy is still being monitored at the moment,” Watson said ahead of the clash against RCB in Raipur. “Obviously he’s been sore. In the last two games he was in a lot of pain. Even though he still bowled incredibly well, to see where he started off in the season to where he’s ended up getting to has been incredible to see.”“We’re just monitoring him at the moment. We’ve got our fingers crossed that he’ll be available for tomorrow, but we’re still not exactly sure,” he said.Also Read: Varun Chakaravarthy Likely To Be Ruled Out Of RCB Vs KKR IPL 2026 MatchRCB to breathe sigh of relief if Chakaravarthy gets ruled outJudging by Watson’s comments, a day before the RCB Vs KKR IPL match, it seems the mystery spinner is set to be ruled out of the clash.He has played 11 matches against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and has scalped 15 wickets, at an average of 16.67, and an economy rate of just 7.18. If the same surface is used where RCB collided against MI, then it could slow down and assist the spinners.In such a scenario, Chakaravarthy would have been KKR’s most dangerous bowler, and the RCB batters might have found it hard to tackle him. However, with him likely to miss the IPL 2026 match, the hosts could breathe a sigh of relief.Also Read: Matheesha Pathirana To Make His Debut? KKR Strongest XI vs RCB- IPL 2026, Match 57
