EX-CSK star backs Varun Chakravarthy despite poor form ahead of KKR vs LSG IPL 2026 clash
Published - 09 Apr 2026, 05:27 PM | Updated - 09 Apr 2026, 05:30 PM
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Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are gearing up for the crucial IPL 2026 match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Thursday, April 9, at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The three-time IPL champions are yet to win a single game this season, and pressure is already visible inside the camp.
Ahead of the crucial KKR vs LSG clash in Kolkata, former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has sent a strong message to the franchise. The cricket pandit believes that this is the moment for KKR to fully back their struggling mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy.
Irfan Pathan urges KKR to back Varun Chakravarthy despite poor form and injury
Varun Chakravarthy missed Kolkata Knight Riders’ previous IPL 2028 match against Punjab Kings because of a finger injury, but rain washed out the entire contest, and both teams had to share the points. The injury is on his non-bowling hand, and Pathan feels he can still take the field if KKR shows trust in him.
He wants the spinner to play against the LSG because Varun has a brilliant record against LSG captain Rishabh Pant. The off-spinner has removed Pant three times in just 30 balls, giving away only 31 runs. Even though Pant is coming off a match-winning knock and is full of confidence, Varun’s past domination makes him a key weapon for KKR in this high-pressure home match.
'This is an opportunity for Kolkata to back Varun'
Irfan Pathan said in a video posted on his YouTube channel, “Varun Chakravarthy got injured. Even if he has injured the little finger of his left hand, he bowls with his right hand. So, you should back him and give him that confidence.”
He added, “Rishabh Pant has a strike rate of around 100 against Varun Chakravarthy. But that is an old story, and Rishabh Pant just won the last match for his team with an unbeaten knock. His confidence will be very high, but he has gotten out to Varun Chakravarthy thrice in six innings and scored 31 runs off 30 balls. This is an opportunity for Kolkata to back Varun.”
Notably, Varun has been badly struggling with the ball since T20 World Cup 2026. He finished the global tournament as the joint-highest wicket-taker with 14 wickets in nine innings, but major of his wickets came during the early phase of the event.
However, the Indian spinner has been struggling badly in the ongoing IPL 2026 so far. He is yet to pick up a single wicket for KKR and has an expensive economy rate of 13.16.
Irfan Pathan wants Angkrish Raghuvanshi to replace Cameron Green at No.3
Meanwhile, Irfan suggested that Angkrish Raghuvanshi should be promoted to No. 3. Angkrish has been one of KKR’s brightest performers in the ongoing IPL 2026. He already smashed two half-centuries, so Pathan feels struggling Cameron Green should be pushed down to No. 4.
He added, “Angkrish Raghuvanshi should bat at No. 3 and bring Cameron Green down to No. 4. Angkrish has scored runs in both innings. So, you should back the current form. It is understandable that you want to play Cameron Green, but you must back Angkrish Raghuvanshi.”
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Varun Chakravarthy Irfan Pathan KKR KKR vs LSG IPL Kolkata Knight Riders Angkrish Raghuvanshi Cameron GreenAbout the Author
Rashmi Wasnik is a passionate content writer with over a decade of experience. She started her journ...
