![Varun Chakaravarthy [Source: @FarziCricketer/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1775144142624_VarunChakaravarthy.jpg?type=hq)
Varun Chakaravarthy [Source: @FarziCricketer/x]
Varun Chakaravarthy punched above his weight to snare a sensational catch against SRH in match number six of the IPL 2026 season. Fielding at deep square leg, the cricketer held on to a dipping ball to get rid of national teammate and SRH’s rampaging opener Abhishek Sharma.
Chakaravarthy’s catch also tilted the tide back in KKR’s favor, as it handed fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani his second victim of the evening around the halfway stage of the innings.
As one can expect, Varun’s exceptional fielding effort also prompted fans to flock to social media and praise the cricketer.
“Lazy” Varun Chakaravarthy wins over fans with exceptional catch
Not traditionally regarded as a standout presence in the field, Varun Chakaravarthy defied that perception with a moment of sharp awareness and athleticism that caught many by surprise during match six of the IPL 2026 season on Thursday, April 2.
The incident occurred during the ninth over of the SRH innings, when opener Abhishek Sharma whacked KKR’s Zimbabwe import Blessing Muzarabani in a bid to clear the deep square leg boundary. However, Abhishek merely managed to find Chakaravarthy towards the region, who made a forward dive and held on to a dipping ball.
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While several fans assumed that Varun had grassed the ball, the third umpire eventually declared the SRH opener out after inspecting several television replays.
Several fans took to social media to laud the effort, with many expressing pleasant surprise given that Varun Chakaravarthy has seldom been celebrated for his fielding prowess. Here is a look at some of the fans expressing their reactions over Chakaravarthy’s stunning catch in IPL 2026.
Chakaravarthy struggles with the ball as SRH gets off to a flier
While the catch provided a fleeting highlight, Varun Chakaravarthy’s struggles with the ball persisted, suggesting his underwhelming run of form with his primary skill remains a concern. In his first two overs of the innings itself, the cricketer conceded 31 runs without taking a wicket, which included a 25-run opening-over thrashing he received at the hands of Abhishek Sharma.
In his following over, Chakaravarthy kept SRH’s Heinrich Klaasen and Nitish Kumar Reddy down to six singles, but the ‘Orange Army’ still managed to blaze past the 150-run mark inside the first 14 overs.
Chakaravarthy aiming to seek bowling revival after fielding spark
Varun Chakaravarthy will now be aiming to rediscover his rhythm with the ball and translate that moment of brilliance in the field into a much-needed turnaround in his bowling fortunes. Currently ranked number two in the world’s ICC T20I bowling rankings, the 34-year-old recently underwent a T20 World Cup to forget for the Indian team.
Despite picking up nine wickets during India’s four Group A matches of the tournament, the cricketer managed to claim just 14 wickets in nine innings, at an expensive bowling average of 20.50. He even started his IPL 2026 season with expensive bowling figures of 0-48 from his four overs against the Mumbai Indians last weekend.
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