With Royal Challengers Bengaluru set to take on Kolkata Knight Riders, former India batter Mohammad Kaif believes the possible unavailability of spinner Varun Chakravarthy could work in RCB’s favour. The defending champions will also be keen to carry forward the confidence from their recent edge-of-your-seat two-wicket triumph over Mumbai Indians as they face a KKR side that has dramatically turned its season around.
KKR’s resurgence and Varun’s recent impact
KKR’s turnaround followed a miserable stretch that included six straight matches without a win, made up of five defeats and one no result. Since then, they have won four consecutive games, putting themselves back in the playoff conversation.
A key positive in their current rhythm has been Varun’s return to form with the ball. After opening his campaign with three matches without taking a wicket, he has since managed 10 wickets across his last five outings, strengthening KKR’s grip at the wickets.
Varun’s tournament preparation, however, came with an up-and-down narrative. At the T20 World Cup, he finished among the leading wicket-takers with 14 dismissals, but his output dropped sharply after the Super Eights began, where he took only five wickets from the opening match through to the final. Batters also found ways to hit through his spell during that phase.
Fitness question after fielding incidents
Attention has now shifted to Varun’s fitness. After he appeared to pick up an injury while fielding against Sunrisers Hyderabad and later limped during a match against Delhi Capitals, his availability has come under scrutiny. Reports from ESPNCricinfo have indicated that KKR assistant coach Shane Watson said Varun was “sore” and that he was being monitored.
Kaif’s view ahead of the RCB vs KKR clash
Speaking to JioStar’s Match Centre Live, Kaif said that if Varun does not play, it would be a significant boost for RCB. He highlighted that the spinner has recently regained his rhythm and was landing deliveries in the right areas. Kaif also pointed out that Virat Kohli typically enjoys contests against quicker spin.
Kaif further noted that KKR would prefer to have Varun in the XI, since it helps them stick to their long-standing structure: two fast bowlers, one all-rounder, and three specialist spinners.
He also praised Anukul Roy’s role during the opening overs, saying Roy has been doing an excellent job in the Powerplay. That, Kaif added, gives KKR the flexibility to bring Sunil Narine into the action a little later, allowing Narine to better manage the middle-overs phase of the match.
