Varun Chakaravarthy playing through pain, hairline fracture: KKR coach Watson
Synopsis
KKR's Varun Chakaravarthy is reportedly bowling with a hairline fracture in his left foot — and still delivered a key spell against Mumbai Indians. Coach Shane Watson's post-match revelation underlines how much KKR are relying on a spinner who is one injury setback away from being ruled out entirely.
Key Takeaways
Varun Chakaravarthy is reportedly managing a hairline fracture in his left foot but has continued playing for KKR in IPL 2025 .
He returned figures of 0/28 in four overs against Mumbai Indians on 21 May , helping contain the visitors.
Chakaravarthy conceded 105 runs in his first three games before recovering to become one of KKR's most dependable bowlers.
Angkrish Raghuvanshi left the field in the 14th over after a collision with Chakaravarthy, reporting neck pain, dizziness, and a headache.
KKR face Delhi Capitals on Sunday in their final league-stage match, with both players' fitness under watch.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) assistant coach Shane Watson has revealed that mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy is reportedly managing a hairline fracture in his left foot and has been bowling through pain in the ongoing IPL 2025 season. Watson's remarks came after KKR's crucial victory over Mumbai Indians on 21 May, in which Chakaravarthy delivered a controlled spell of 0/28 in four overs to help contain the opposition in a rain-affected contest.
Watson Praises Chakaravarthy's Courage
Speaking at the post-match press conference, the former Australia all-rounder was full of admiration for the spinner's commitment. Watson said: '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 to be able to contribute for KKR, and he's still bowling beautifully.'
Watson added that while he was not fully aware of the exact stage of Chakaravarthy's rehabilitation, the bowler's determination to remain available for the side was evident.
A Season-Defining Turnaround
Chakaravarthy's campaign had a difficult beginning — he went wicketless and conceded 105 runs across his first three games before rediscovering his rhythm. Since then, he has become one of KKR's most reliable bowling options alongside Sunil Narine.
Watson described the transformation as 'brilliant', noting: 'The impact he's been able to consistently have every single game... he could have easily just said, I don't want to be a part of this, I'm just going to go and rest it. So we're very fortunate that he's all in, and he's done a brilliant job again tonight.'
Collision Leaves Raghuvanshi with Concussion Symptoms
The match also produced a concerning moment in the 11th over when Tilak Varma miscued a shot off Chakaravarthy's bowling. Both the spinner and wicketkeeper Angkrish Raghuvanshi converged on the ball, colliding heavily as Chakaravarthy completed — then dropped — the catch on impact.
While Chakaravarthy continued playing, Raghuvanshi walked off the field in the 14th over and did not return to bat during KKR's chase. Watson confirmed the youngster had developed neck pain, dizziness, and a headache within a couple of overs of the collision — symptoms consistent with a concussion protocol situation.
'He's as tough a competitor as I've ever met. So we certainly missed him from a batting perspective,' Watson said.
What's Next for KKR
With the league stage drawing to a close, KKR face Delhi Capitals on Sunday in what is expected to be another must-win fixture. The fitness of both Chakaravarthy and Raghuvanshi heading into that game will be closely monitored by the team management. Their availability could prove decisive as KKR push for a playoff berth.
Point of View
But the risk of a stress injury worsening mid-tournament — particularly with the playoffs in sight — is real. Chakaravarthy's early-season implosion (105 runs in three games) and subsequent revival also point to a bowler whose rhythm is fragile; managing him on a fractured foot only compounds that fragility. The Raghuvanshi concussion subplot deserves equal attention — collision-related head injuries in cricket are routinely under-reported, and his absence from the batting chase was a meaningful tactical loss.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What injury is Varun Chakaravarthy managing in IPL 2025?
Varun Chakaravarthy is reportedly playing with a hairline fracture in his left foot, according to KKR assistant coach Shane Watson. Despite the injury, he has continued to bowl and has been one of KKR's most consistent performers in the latter half of the season.
What did Shane Watson say about Varun Chakaravarthy's fitness?
Watson said Chakaravarthy is 'playing through a bit of pain', calling it a mark of his bravery and commitment to the team. He added that Chakaravarthy 'could have easily just said I don't want to be a part of this' but chose to play on.
What happened to Angkrish Raghuvanshi during the KKR vs Mumbai Indians match?
Raghuvanshi collided with Chakaravarthy in the 11th over while both went for a catch off Tilak Varma's shot. He subsequently developed neck pain, dizziness, and a headache, walked off in the 14th over, and did not return to bat during KKR's chase.
How has Varun Chakaravarthy's IPL 2025 season progressed?
Chakaravarthy had a difficult start, conceding 105 runs without a wicket in his first three games. He then found his rhythm and became one of KKR's most dependable bowlers, consistently impacting matches alongside Sunil Narine.
When is KKR's next IPL 2025 match?
KKR face Delhi Capitals on Sunday in their final league-stage fixture. The fitness of both Varun Chakaravarthy and Angkrish Raghuvanshi will be closely watched ahead of what is expected to be a must-win encounter.
