Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) is going through continuous troubles. Ahead of the clash with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Chepauk on April 14, there are several issues within the Kolkata team, including an injury to Varun Chakravarthy.
Former Team India player and former KKR opener Aakash Chopra told in this YouTube video that Varun Chakraborty may have a hairline fracture, due to which his playing against CSK is also uncertain.
Off-form Varun Chakraborty’s fitness is under question
Indian spinners have been struggling with their form since the Super 8 stage of the 2026 T20 World Cup. In the two matches he has played so far for KKR in the IPL 2026 season, the spinner has taken no wickets for 79 runs in six overs. He could not play in the last two matches due to injury.
Varun Chakravarthy held a bowling session in the nets ahead of the CSK vs KKR match. But Aakash Chopra said that the bowler’s left hand is still bandaged. Chopra said that the 34-year-old player may have a hairline fracture in his left hand.
Mathisha Pathirana is unavailable to play for Kolkata Knight Riders
Along with Varun Chakraborty, KKR is also worried about its foreign fast bowler Mathisha Pathirana. The Sri Lankan fast bowler received his fitness certificate from the board after following the fitness protocols, but he is not available to play for the Knight Riders against the Chennai Super Kings.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube channel, “Pathirana is fit but not available. He has a fitness certificate, but he is not available for this match. It would have been great if Pathirana had come because till now he had played only for Chennai and now he could have played against them, but KKR’s troubles are not ending.”
Chopra felt that despite the poor record in recent times, Varun could manage to perform well against CSK as he knows the ground and conditions well.
“They are a team who are still looking for a win. Varun Chakravarthy has started bowling; that’s good news, but his hand is still bandaged. I heard there is a hairline fracture. He is from Chennai only. Even though his current form is not good, you feel he will do better if he plays. If he is available, you can see him playing in place of Anukul Roy.”
Will Varun Chakravarthy play against CSK?
Before the match, a KKR spokesperson told the media that the spinner had a bandage on his hand, but he practiced well in the nets.
“So, Varun is training. He has a bandage on his hand, but he is still training. He has been training all day before this match, so he is good,” a KKR spokesperson told the media at the pre-match press conference.
The former cricketer suggested KKR to rely on Caribbean batsman Rovman Powell and ask the team to promote Cameron Green in the batting order.
Aakash Chopra said, “The rest of the team is the same that played the last match, in which I think Rovman Powell needs to play. I just have one suggestion. You are paying Cameron Green around Rs 2 crore per match, Rs 1.8 crore to be exact. So ask him to bat a little higher up the order.”
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