![Varun Chakaravarthy with KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1778684968514_VarunChakaravarthyandAjinkyaRahane.jpg?type=hq)
Varun Chakaravarthy with KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane [Source: AFP]
After an hour-long rain delay, match officials conducted toss for the high-profile IPL 2026 match between KKR and defending champions RCB at the latter’s home ground in Raipur. RCB captain Rajat Patidar won the coin toss and opted to field first at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium on Wednesday, May 13.
While the RCB franchise made a couple of changes in its playing XI, KKR also left out ace spinner Varun Chakaravarthy and included uncapped fast bowler Saurabh Dubey instead. Here, we explain why Chakaravarthy was excluded from the KKR playing XI at such a crucial stage of the tournament.
Varun Chakaravarthy carrying a niggle, says captain Rahane
At the toss, KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane confirmed that Varun Chakaravarthy will not make it to the playing XI against the RCB owing to a niggle. The seasoned Indian cricketer also added that Vidarbha fast bowler Saurabh Dubey has been added to the side, albeit as one of the substitutes.
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Ajinkya Rahane said “Varun misses out with a niggle and Saurabh Dubey replaces him, says Rahane.”
Rahane himself will continue to lead the side, which features the return of all other players who recently trounced Delhi Capitals last week. Here is a look at the KKR playing XI for the match against the RCB.
KKR playing XI vs RCB
Finn Allen, Ajinkya Rahane (capt), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Cameron Green, Rinku Singh, Manish Pandey, Rovman Powell, Sunil Narine, Anukul Roy, Kartik Tyagi, Vaibhav Arora
Impact Substitutes: Ramandeep Singh, Tejasvi Singh, Navdeep Saini, Saurabh Dubey, Tim Seifert
Varun Chakaravarthy injury lands a big blow on KKR’s prospects
A few days ago, Varun Chakaravarthy was spotted walking around with a leg brace around his left foot. At the time, the development indicated an ankle or foot-related injury concern, which placed his availability for the rest of the tournament under a cloud of uncertainty.
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Chakaravarthy’s injury lands a big blow to KKR’s prospects towards the business end of the IPL 2026 season. While the franchise started off the season on a dismal note, the ace spinner played a vital role in KKR’s insurgence in the second half of the league stage.
He picked up match-winning three-wicket hauls against the Rajasthan Royals and SRH on April 19 and May 3 respectively. Overall, he has picked up 10 wickets in eight innings of IPL 2026 at an average of 25.
Who is Saurabh Dubey?
Vidarbha left arm fast bowler Saurabh Dubey was included in the KKR set-up for the match against the RCB as an ‘impact substitute’. Captain Ajinkya Rahane confirmed that Dubey was included in the team as a replacement for Varun Chakaravarthy.
If Dubey receives an opportunity to play as a substitute in the second half of the game, the occasion will mark his IPL debut. Known for his raw pace, the speedster has picked up 16 wickets in eight first-class matches in Indian domestic tournaments.
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