EX-CSK spinner drops warning statment on Varun Chakravarthy's form in IPL 2026

The three-time IPL champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), are currently under immense pressure as they have lost in both of their previous IPL 2026 games. After losing 2 out of 2 games, the Knights remain empty-handed. Ahead of their third fixture of the ongoing tournament, they will have to fix some cracks on the wall as soon as possible, otherwise, they may have to face more brutal consequences.

More than the results of the match, the way KKR dropped their points bothered the cricket experts more. Some of their key players, like Varun Chakravarthy, Cameron Green, and their broken bowling delivery, looked completely out of shape against the Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad, respectively.

Ravichandran Ashwin KKR's performance

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin expressed his concern over the team's body language and method of playing after their previous match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Hyderabad handed Kolkata a massive defeat at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

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Ashwin was afraid to admit that not a single bowler against Hyderabad impressed him. The former cricketer said that a team can have one or two drawbacks. But for KKR, the issue is more complex; their entire bowling unit looked fragile.

Ashwin explains where the team has been lacking more

"KKR is going to have a lot of problems this season. Forget about their batting, bowling, and all of that. The way they played this game and the last game, I think that they don’t have one bowler whom they can bank on for four overs. Many times you have one or two weak links whom you look to support, but you don’t have even one bowler who can guarantee you four overs.” Ashwin explained on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’.

Varun Chakravarthy, who was a standout bowler for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the past few seasons, was completely out of form in their previous two assignments. Hyderabad batter Abhishek Sharma demolished the spinner for 25 runs in an over in Kolkata.

R Ashwin opined on Varun Chakravarthy's downfall as well

Ashwin asserted that all players went through a very tough phase of their respective careers, and Varun Chakravarthy is not an exception. The former cricketer suggested the KKR spinner take some time to regain his form.

"What happens with a bowler, when they get hit a lot, this is a time for Varun that he has never seen before. This is a massive blow for him. When I look at him, I feel his confidence is very low. If you are under so much pressure, there are methods to improve your practice. I feel he needs to take some time."

"This stage comes to everyone, where bowlers will pick you easily and even score runs. The game is pushing you to find a method and move forward. He will have to find answers," he said about Varun Chakravarthy's recent form for the Kolkata Knight Riders.

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