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The club vs country debate sparked again after the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs Gujarat Titans (GT) match, which was played on May 16 at the Eden Gardens. Varun Chakravarthy is the main reason to reignite the debate.
Varun Chakravarthy is equally important for the IPL franchise and Team India. Because of the heavy workload and tight schedules, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) always keeps its eyes open to protect its key talents.
Why Varun Chakravarthy can miss the remainder of IPL 2026?
Varun is amongst the players who are recognized as one of the main frays for the Men in Blue in the T20Is. After the conclusion of the ongoing Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026), the national side will have embraced a back-to-back high-stakes series.
Varun Chakravarthy is expected to be named in the main squad. Fitness is among the main parameters for the selection process. An injury can take an opportunity from a player.
Varun Chakravarthy’s fitness is currently under the scanner. As it was mentioned by the Kolkata Knight Riders head coach, Abhishek Nayar, the spinner has a hairline on his toe, which he received during the Delhi Capitals match.
“It’s not been easy for him. He’s been trying in the last couple of days to come out for the team, but maybe in the next game, if his toe gets better, he’ll come in. But there’s a small hairline on his toe, and it’s on the foot that he lands on, so it’s quite uncomfortable for him right now. We’re very hopeful that he comes back in the next game,” Nayar informed during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs KKR match in Raipur.
Team India physio keeps an eye on the situation
Chakravarthy missed the RCB match but returned to action after the Gujarat Titans match. The 34-year-old was in discomfort in the match while bowling last night, which has raised concerns over his fitness ahead of seven T20Is in Dublin and across England next month.
“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."
"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. Jain might be asked as to what the input from the KKR medical team was," a senior BCCI official told PTI.
KKR will have to play 2 more matches
To remain in the title race, KKR will have to win their remaining games in IPL 2026, which will be against the Mumbai Indians (May 20) and Delhi Capitals (May 24) at the Eden Gardens.
It will be interesting to see whether the Knight Riders receive the permit from the board to allow Varun Chakravarthy to take the field for the remainder. The medical team of the board, led by physio Kamlesh Jain, can take a crucial call on Varun.
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