Varun Chakaravarthy calms fears after injury scare, says ‘I’ll be fine in 3 days’ after match-winning spell

Varun Chakaravarthy took a three-wicket haul, but also had to be substituted after his quota of four overs due to an injury.

Published on: May 3, 2026, 20:05:30 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

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Varun Chakaravarthy asked fans not to worry about his injury during the post-match presentation as Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by seven wickets to get their third-straight victory. The KKR spinner took a three-wicket haul, but also had to be substituted after his quota of four overs due to an injury.

Varun Chakaravarthy suffered an injury vs SRH. (AP)

In the third over (12th) of his spell, Varun sent a full delivery over the wicket on his first ball; Ishan Kishan directed it back to the bowler, and it hit his left boot. The KKR spinner was in visible pain in his final over in the 14th, and after his first delivery, Rahane even had a chat with him as he hobbled on the pitch.

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Varun Chakaravarthy opens up on his injury

Speaking after the match, Varun said, “It's fine. It's just the impact pain.”

“Still not able to put the foot fully down. But in another 3 days, I'll be fine. He hit it very fast, and I had to stop it. Otherwise it would've been a four. I've been saying this every year. Initially when IPL starts, the first four matches will be flat wickets. It's very tough for spinners to come into the game. Happened for every spinner. Everyone found it tough. As the tournament goes on, spinners come into the game”, he added.

For his first wicket, Varun removed Travis Head in the final ball of the ninth over, dismissing the SRH opener for 61 off 28 balls. The wicket turned the tide totally towards KKR's side. He sent a quick delivery, and Head was undone by the pace, and it went straight to deep midwicket for a catch.

He took his second wicket in the 12th over, removing Smaran Ravichandran (4). Receiving a length ball, the SRh batter got a leading edge to Ajinkya Rahane at extra cover. In his final over, a hobbling Varun took his third wicket in the fourth delivery, sending Aniket Verma (6) back to the pavilion. He sent a full delivery, and Aniket top-eded it to Rahane near cover for a catch.

On Sunday, it wasn't just Varun who performed well; his spin partner, Sunil Narine, also took two wickets, reaching 201 IPL dismissals. Meanwhile, Angkrish Raghuvanshi got a half-century, smacking 59 off 47 balls, packed with five fours and two sixes, also striking at 125.53.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

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