Varun Chakaravarthy - (Source: AFP)
On Friday, April 17, Varun Chakaravarthy finally ended the wait for his first wicket of IPL 2026. Notably, the KKR spinner got off to the worst possible start in IPL 2026, as he went wicketless in the previous three matches.
There were queestions raised over Varun Chakaravarthy’s place as the right-arm spinner had a terrible second-half of the T20 World Cup 2026 and suffered an injury in the ongoing edition of IPL. Nonetheless, the 34-year-old silenced his critics and got the big wicket of Jos Buttler. With the dismissal, Varun also etched his name in history.
Varun Chakaravarthy Completes 100 Wickets For KKR
With Jos Buttler’s wicket, Varun Chakaravarthy completed 100 wickets for KKR in IPL. He became the first-ever Indian to reach 100 scalps for the three-time winners. Overall, Varun is the 3rd bowler to take 100 wickets for KKR, only behind Sunil Narine and Andre Russell.
- Sunil Narine - 214
- Andre Russell - 124
- Varun Chakaravarthy - 100
Notably, Varun achieved the feat in just 86 innings. He has an economy of 7.65, good enough to put him among the very best in the history of the cash-studded league.
Varun Chakaravarthy Equals Arshdeep Singh's Legacy In IPL
Interestingly, KKR is not the only team that Varun Chakaravarthy has played for in the IPL. Notably, the 34-year-old featured for Punjab Kings in a solitary game where he picked up a solitary wicket.
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However, since 2020, Varun has represented KKR and his overall wickets tally in IPL is 102. He has now equalled Arshdeep Singh, who too has 102 wickets and is the joint-28th leading wicket-taker in IPL.
Shedding light on spinners, he is the 11th leading wicket-taker in IPL. He has a chance to go past Kuldeep Yadav in this season, who has just 105 IPL wickets in 99 appearances.
Varun's Dip In Form Linked To KKR's Dismal Season
KKR's strength has been its bowling. Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy has been a formidable duo for the Knight Riders. However, this season it has not been the same. As mentioned above, Varun has picked up just 1 wicket in four matches.
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It can be linked directly to KKR's dismal form as the three-time winners have lost five matches now in the tournament. The Ajinkya Rahane-led side have just one point in six matches, courtesy of a washed out match against Punjab Kings.
Talking about the recently concluded match, KKR, batting first, put 180 runs on the board. In reply, GT rode on Shubman Gill's batting heroics and chased down the total in the last over of the match. The Knight Riders will next face Rajasthan Royals on Sunday.
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