Kolkata Knight Riders went into their clash against Punjab Kings without key spinners Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy due to fitness issues. Captain Ajinkya Rahane revealed at the toss that Varun had picked up an injury while taking a catch in the previous match, while Narine was unwell.
Kolkata Knight Riders' Varun Chakaravarthy returned to training on Wednesday. (PTI)
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
Despite their absence, the game never really got going. Rain interrupted play early, with only 3.4 overs of KKR’s innings possible before the match was called off. With so little action on the field, KKR hardly felt the impact of missing their frontline spin pair on the day.
Meanwhile, the three-time champions shared an update on both players, confirming that Narine is feeling better and has been training with the squad over the past few days, contributing with both bat and ball. Chakaravarthy, who injured his finger while taking a catch against SRH, also returned to training on Wednesday and completed his full bowling workload.
"Sunil had fallen ill on the morning of our match vs PBKS, ‘cause of which he wasn’t a part of the XI. He has since been feeling better, and trained with the team both yesterday and today - batted and bowled. Varun had injured the little finger on his left hand while taking Abhishek’s catch in the match vs SRH. The medical team has been working closely with him. He bowled his full set at training today," KKR provided the crucial update.
KKR have still not made a final decision whether the duo will return to the playing XI for the Lucknow Super Giants clash on Thursday night at Eden Gardens.
Varun-Narine mystery starting to fade
Meanwhile, Chakaravarthy has had a tough start, going wicketless and proving costly in both outings so far. He conceded 48 runs in his four overs against Mumbai Indians and followed it up with another expensive spell, giving away 31 runs in just two overs against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
The dip in returns isn’t entirely new. After an impressive start at the T20 World Cup, where he picked up nine wickets in the group stage, his impact began to fade. From the Super Eight phase through to the final against New Zealand national cricket team, he managed only five wickets in as many matches while also conceding runs at a higher rate.
Narine has failed to make much of an impact as KKR have struggled miserably in the bowling department so far this season.
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.
Get live cricket scores, match updates, schedules, results and ICC rankings. Follow the latest news, statistics and performances of top teams and players on Hindustan Times.
Get live cricket scores, match updates, schedules, results and ICC rankings. Follow the latest news, statistics and performances of top teams and players on Hindustan Times.
Home/Cricket/KKR hand big boost with Sunil Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy fitness update ahead of LSG clash
{{^htLoading}}
Advertisement
{{/htLoading}}
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
{{#usCountry}}{{/usCountry}}
Hindustantimes wants to start sending you push notifications. Click allow to subscribe
