KKR vs DC IPL 2026: Abhishek Nayar, head coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders, praised their star spinner Varun Chakravarthy for battling through injuries to compete in the ongoing season. He stressed that most players grapple with injuries and rarely reach full fitness, yet not all risk their bodies for their IPL team, pushing through immense pain out of loyalty.
Chakravarthy endured a hairline fracture in his foot after a ball struck him during their clash with the Axar Patel-led side. He attempted to play through the injury, but the team management benched him for the match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. When their four-match winning streak broke, they recalled him to the XI, sparking two more victories—his struggle to bowl ignited controversy.
When Devajit Saikia, the BCCI secretary, enquired whether they could play any role in preventing Chakravarthy from being overused, he replied that they couldn't really interfere.
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“I believe when a player commits to playing at less than 100%, which most cricketers experience, they're enduring constant injuries. For Varun to fight through that, start the season on a turbulent curve, return to form, and absorb further injuries is remarkable. He has fractured several limbs in this tournament—previously two fingers, now his toe. The toughest athletes push past pain and adversity, and that's what Varun Chakravarthy has consistently done," Abhishek Nayar told reporters during the pre-match press conference.
He also revealed that Chakravarthy, who appears soft-spoken outwardly, is fiercely driven on the inside, passionately invests in the team, and recognizes the importance of his role.
“He invests emotionally in this team and everyone associated with it. That drives his willingness to play, not compulsion. Sometimes, players hesitate, but he consistently steps up, fueled by love for the city and the franchise," he concluded.
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Chakravarthy didn't deliver his best this year, but he helped keep their playoff hopes alive, claiming 10 wickets at an average of 32.50 and an economy rate of 8.78.