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IPL 2026 has not been a cake walk, neither for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) nor for their ace spinner Varun Chakravarthy. The spinner, who was considered a mystery spinner for Team India and for KKR, had to surpass a stage full of ebb and flow in the early stages of the ongoing Indian Premier League.
As the tournament progressed, Varun Chakravarthy slowly, but surely, hinted at claiming back his vintage form, then suddenly, the hard-earned momentum came of jalt because of an injury. In the recent past, the spinner was troubled by multiple injury setbacks.
Hairline fracture on Varun Chakravarthy's toe
Varun Chakravarthy sustained a hairline fracture on his toe during the mid-phase of the IPL 2026 campaign. He injured his fingers as well. Multiple injuries not only affected his own form but also influenced the team’s strategy.
Ahead of the Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals match, which will be played on May 24, KKR head coach Abhishek Nayar explains that coming out of the finger injuries and then the issue with the toe made the situation more challenging for Varun Chakravarthy. So far, the IPL 2026 season has not been on a smooth surface.
He's broken quite a few limbs: KKR head coach
“For him to go through that (injury) and start the season on a topsy-turvy curve, come back into form, have injuries - he's broken quite a few limbs in this tournament already. Before, those two fingers and now his toe,” Abhishek Nayar said ahead of the KKR vs DC match in Kolkata.
Nayar believes that Varun is amongst the tough characters who know how to overcome tough situations and make a strong return. The head coach of the franchise reckoned that the 34-year-old is highly motivated and has a deep attachment to the Kolkata Knight Riders.
“I always say the toughest characters learn to go past pain and adversity. And that's what Varun Chakravarthy is. He doesn't seem like a tough character when you speak to him. But internally, he's someone who's highly motivated and feels very deeply for the franchise,” Abhishek Nayar added.
“He's been a franchise player for us. He’s been an integral part, and I think he understands it. So he's...very emotional when it comes to everyone associated with this team, and I feel that's the thought for himself behind him actually wanting to do it and not having to force him to do it,” he further emphasized.
Varun injured himself during the match against the Delhi Capitals
Chakravarthy suffered a hairline fracture in his left foot during a match against the Delhi Capitals on May 8. The injury forced him to miss Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) clash against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 13.
Despite the injury, showing immense resilience and commitment to the team, he bowled his full quota against the Delhi Capitals. During his final over against DC, he was limping badly. Later, it was revealed that the spinner had a hairline fracture on his toe.
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