‘He’s playing through pain’ - Watson lauds Chakravarthy’s commitment for KKR as playoff hopes hang in balance

Published - 22 May 2026, 14:45 IST | Updated - 22 May 2026, 14:21 IST

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) assistant coach Shane Watson heaped praise on mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy for showing immense courage and commitment while continuing to play despite injury concerns during the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.

Chakravarthy has played a crucial role in reviving KKR’s campaign in the second half of the tournament, helping the defending champions stay alive in the race for the playoffs. However, reports suggest that the spinner has been dealing with a hairline fracture in his left foot, an issue that has visibly troubled him on the field in recent matches.

The spinner was seen limping at various stages during KKR’s rain-affected four-wicket win over Mumbai Indians, a game that extended into Thursday due to interruptions. Ahead of the tie, Chakravarthy reportedly trained separately behind the black sightscreen, away from the public eye and media attention. The ex-Australia all-rounder highlighted the pain the spinner has been enduring and lauded his dedication for KKR.

“Well, I’m not exactly sure of where he is on his rehab journey at the moment. All I do know is he’s obviously playing through a bit of pain at the moment, which just shows how brave he is, how much he wants to be here able to contribute for KKR, and he’s still bowling beautifully,” Watson said in a post-match press conference.

Despite the discomfort, Chakravarthy has continued to deliver impactful performances for the Knight Riders, proving to be one of the side’s most reliable wicket-taking options in pressure situations.

Interestingly, the KKR side was also involved with some controversy regarding Cameron Green not being fit enough to bowl during the first half of the season. At the time, KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane had mentioned that only Cricket Australia could explain why the Australian all-rounder was not bowling in a match against Mumbai Indians.

Cricket Australia later clarified that KKR had already been informed beforehand that Green would not bowl during the first 10–12 days of the tournament as he was recovering from a back injury.

KKR, on the other hand, have made a stunning comeback in IPL 2026 after a disastrous start to their season. In their last six matches, the three-time IPL champions have won five and are a contender for the fourth spot in the playoffs along with PBKS, RR, and DC.