The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) isn’t pleased with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The 3-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions’ mismanagement of Varun Chakaravarthy’s injuries, first hand and then leg, is the reason behind the BCCI’s displeasure with KKR.
Varun Chakaravarthy’s injury woes in IPL 2026
At the start of the IPL 2026, Chakaravarthy had fractured his hand while taking a catch. He missed two matches and returned. However, many were surprised after the mystery spinner revealed that he was playing while still injured. “I still have two fractures in my left hand. So, I’m just trying to manage that. Yeah, so it is a little tough, but I’m just trying to manage,” Chakaravarthy had said on April 19.
Many questioned the BCCI with regard to who had control over the centrally contracted players, the board or the IPL franchises. Chakaravarthy continued to play, and after a couple of weeks, sustained another fracture. This time, on his leg. He limped throughout the game, missed the next match, but returned for the one after that.
BCCI unhappy with KKR
It was clear that Chakaravarthy wasn’t 100% physically. He went for 47 runs and could barely walk. But, because it was a do-or-die game for KKR, the medical staff of the franchise cleared him to play. The BCCI let the first incident fly, but was miffed after he was allowed to take the field against the Gujarat Titans.
“I know for a fact that the KKR physio is in touch with the Team India physio (Kamlesh Jain). There has been communication from KKR to the BCCI that in a previous match, Varun injured his left foot while saving a boundary. It is understood that he has a hairline fracture. I believe that as a centrally contracted player of the BCCI, his fitness is paramount and the BCCI medical team could intervene,” a senior BCCI official told PTI.
One can’t forget that in around a month, India will tour Ireland for 2 T20Is, on June 26 and 28 in Belfast. Then, with basically no turnaround, India plays 5 T20Is against England from July 1 to 11. Despite knowing this, KKR cleared Chakaravarthy to play.
“If Varun was rested against RCB in the last game because of his foot injury, it is imperative to know how he could not make it for that game (on May 13) after a four-day break (against DC on May 8) but played on Saturday,” the official added.
Varun Chakaravarthy’s injury timeline in IPL 2026
- Suffers hand while injury on April 2 vs SRH
- Misses 2 matches (April 6 vs PBKS, April 9 vs LSG)
- Plays next 6 matches with two fractures on the right hand until injuring leg on May 8
- Misses 1 match (May 13 vs RCB)
- Returns on May 16 vs GT despite a hairline fracture
