![Varun Chakaravarthy for India [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1775654766735_VarunChakravarthy.jpg?type=hq)
Varun Chakaravarthy for India [Source: AFP]
The Kolkata Knight Riders versus Punjab Kings clash on April 6 was washed out due to rain. However, before the abandonment, the toss and the playing XI were declared, where a major missing name on the team sheet was Varun Chakaravarthy.
The India mystery spinner was a star performer for KKR in IPL 2025, where he managed to pick up 17 wickets from 13 appearances.
However, his start to the IPL 2026 season is not something he would have hoped for. Struggling to get wickets in this edition, Varun Chakaravarthy suffered an injury setback ahead of the Punjab Kings clash on Monday.
As per KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane, Chakaravarthy is injured and missed that game due to a niggle he sustained while fielding in the sixth match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The Recent Poor Form Of Varun Chakaravarthy
Chakaravarthy’s economy rate has been significantly higher than in previous seasons for Kolkata. He has conceded runs at a rate of 13.17 from the two matches he played for Kolkata while going wicketless.
In the T20 World Cup 2026 as well, his performance was not impressive apart from the initial phase of the tournament. In the Super 8 group match against South Africa, he gave away 47 runs while taking one wicket.
In the final against New Zealand too, he was among the most expensive bowlers for India, conceding 39 runs while picking up just one wicket. This run of underwhelming performances worsened after he picked up an injury in the Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad clash while taking a catch.
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Varun To Miss Out On KKR vs LSG IPL 2026 Clash?
Now, the Kolkata Knight Riders are set for their fourth match in the tournament against the Lucknow Super Giants at their home ground, Eden Gardens in Kolkata. However, as per Rev Sportz journalist Debasis Sen, Varun Chakaravarthy is yet to recover from his injury.
According to Sen, Chakaravarthy still has a bandage on his left finger and is training indoors with Dishant Yagnik. With the nature of the injury still unclear, whether it is trauma-related or due to cuts, Chakaravarthy looks doubtful for the match against LSG on April 9.
Whether Chakaravarthy makes it to the playing eleven or not, this break could prove beneficial for the bowler, as he needs time to regain his rhythm with the ball.
The once “mystery spinner,” who troubled batters with his variations, now appears more vulnerable, with batters finding it easier to take him on.
The Beaten Up Spin Department Of KKR in IPL 2026
Overall, Kolkata’s spin department needs a solid retrace to get back on track. So far, Varun Chakaravarthy, Sunil Narine and Anukul Roy have combined together to give away a total of 179 runs where the economy rate stands at an alarming rate of 11.07.
Compared to this spin attack in IPL 2026 in the two matches KKR spinners participated, in IPL 2025, Kolkata bowled at an economy rate of only 7.8 in 13 matches while taking 36 wickets in the process.
With many things to get their heads wrapped around, for the unaware, Sunil Narine also sat out of the abandoned Punjab Kings clash due to sickness and though Varun looks unsure to get in ahead of LSG, there’s a chance that Narine makes it to the Playing XI.
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