IPL 2026: KKR flagged for playing injured Varun Chakravarthy

The Kolkata Knight Riders have been flagged for making star mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy play in the IPL while suffering from an injury. 

Varun has reportedly been carrying a significant hairline fracture in his foot, despite which he played for the Knight Riders against the Gujarat Titans. This has not gone down well with the BCCI, with the spinner set to be a key feature for the white-ball series in Ireland and England. He was seen hobbling on the field between his overs.

"I know for a fact that KKR physio is in touch with Team India physio (Kamlesh Jain). There has been a communication from KKR to 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 as a centrally contracted player of the BCCI, his fitness is paramount and the BCCI medical team could intervene. Jain might be asked as to what was the input from the KKR medical team," a senior BCCI official said, as reported by NDTV.

The official further questioned why the spinner was voluntarily bowling when he was aware he was carrying an injury. He was rested against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 13. He questioned the franchise for its lapse and how the BCCI would be able to work around similar situations.

"If Varun was rested against RCB in the last game because of his foot injury, it is imperative to know how he couldn't make it for that game (on May 13) after four-day break (vs DC on May 8) but played on Saturday. Yes, KKR's campaign is on the line but can the BCCI allow franchises this kind of indiscretion? A player would want to play through pain but is that a fair thing?," the official questioned.

While Varun went wicketless for 47 runs in his spell, the Knight Riders won by 29 runs to keep their playoff hopes alive. With two games remaining, they will need wins in both to be in a position to make the final four.