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India’s star spinner Varun Chakaravarthy’s Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season has been marred with injuries. Chakaravarthy has injured his foot and missed a few games. He has been seen limping and still bowling. Used as impact player and sent back to dugout once he completes his quota of four overs. While Chakaravarthy has been lauded by teammates and captain Ajinkya Rahane for pushing through the pain, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) doesn’t seem happy with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) management over their usage of the spinner despite a hairline fracture he suffered during Delhi Capitals (DC) game.
“I know for a fact that KKR physio is in touch with Team India physio (Kamlesh Jain). There has been a communication from KKR to BCCI that in a previous match, Varun injured his left foot while saving a boundary," a senior BCCI official told PTI.
“It is understood that he has a hairline fracture. I believe that as a centrally contracted player of the BCCI, his fitness is paramount and the BCCI medical team could intervene," the official added.
Few days’ of recovery enough for hairline fracture?
Chakaravarthy was seen walking with a leg brace and a stick in hand. A few days later, he played in the game against Gujarat Titans (GT) bowling four overs and conceding 47 runs in a high-scoring game. While Chakaravarthy is likely to get a few weeks off after the IPL 2026, his services will be needed for the UK tour, featuring T20I series against Ireland and England.
“If Varun was rested against RCB in the last game because of his foot injury, it is imperative to know how he could not make it for that game (on May 13) after a four-day break (vs DC on May 8) but played on Saturday," the official said.
Will Chakaravarthy continue to play in IPL 2026?
KKR are still alive in the playoffs race as Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) lost their respective games on May 17. KKR's next game is against Mumbai Indians (MI) on May 20. Then, they face Delhi Capitals (DC) on May 24. An official word on the 34-year-old’s fitness is yet to come. It will be interesting to see if he plays in the MI clash despite BCCI medical team’s communication with KKR physio.
KKR need two wins in a row to stay in contention of playoffs. If KKR lose their next game, they are highly likely to rest Chakaravarthy for the DC game. The only factor in their favour over Chakaravarthy’s injury is that the team doesn’t have to travel as their remaining two games are at home venue.
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