Varun took 11 wickets in 11 games in IPL 2026, with best bowling of 3/14.
A straight shot from Ishan Kishan struck Chakaravarthy's shoe during KKR's match against Sunrisers Hyderabad earlier this month, causing a hairline fracture. The spinner has already played with two finger fractures on his non-bowling left hand this season, making it his third injury.
“See, our team’s physios and the physios of the BCCI and the Indian team discussed among themselves. I don’t get involved in that at all. That’s their department. My department is to assess the player’s mindset: does the player want to play or not, and how big is the risk? " Ajinkya Rahane told reporters after KKR’s final league match on Sunday.
“Yes, it’s important to consider health, to stay fit. Your injuries shouldn’t worsen. Yes, we think about that. But the physios felt that his injuries wouldn’t worsen,” he added.
As a centrally contracted India player, Chakaravarthy's injury management required tight collaboration with the KKR medical staff, the BCCI's Centre of Excellence, and the Indian team physios.
There is a set system in place to keep the BCCI informed about the condition of centrally contracted players, particularly when injuries are likely to worsen.
Chakaravarthy’s willingness to play for KKR despite pain showed how committed to the team he was, said Rahane.
“Varun was eager to play. And he gets all the credit because, with that injury, you show how important the team is for you. Varun was completely ready. Yes, we had to give him a break in one match because he was in a lot of pain. But he felt he could play. That communication came from him," Rahane said.
“When a player says he can play, it sends a positive message to the physios and the team that he wants to play. He showed his eagerness to play. And the injury risk management was handled by the physios. They believed the injury wouldn’t worsen," he added.
"Varun was eager to play and he gets all the credit. Because in that injury, you show how important the team is for you. Varun was completely ready. Yes, there was a match [vs RCB] where we had to give him a break because he was in a lot of pain. But he thought that he can play. That communication came from him," Rahane concluded.
(ANI/Cricbuzz inputs)