Kolkata Knight Riders head coach Abhishek Nayar has backed wrist spinner Varun Chakravarthy, praising the franchise commitment that has kept the bowler going even after a string of setbacks. Chakravarthy is managing a hairline fracture in his foot sustained when he was struck by a ball during the match against the Delhi Capitals, and Nayar said the toughest competitors always find a way to push through pain and adversity. Nayar also addressed the challenge of replacing Angkrish Raghuvanshi—ruled out with a concussion and a finger fracture—as KKR prepare to face the Delhi Capitals at Eden Gardens on Sunday evening, with a slim route remaining to the playoffs.
Key takeaways
- KKR coach Abhishek Nayar said Varun Chakravarthy’s return to form after injury reflects his strength of character.
- Varun has been carrying a hairline fracture in his foot after being hit by a ball versus Delhi Capitals.
- Nayar acknowledged a debate around whether Chakravarthy should continue, but framed it as Varun’s deep emotional investment in the franchise.
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi has been ruled out for the Eden Gardens clash due to a concussion and a finger fracture.
- Nayar highlighted Saurabh Dubey’s maturity in his debut IPL season, including after a notable spell against the Mumbai Indians.
- The coach credited squad depth, pointing to options such as Manish Pandey and the chance for young wicketkeepers to step up.
Varun Chakravarthy’s fight through injury
Nayar, speaking at the pre-match press conference, said his words could not fully capture what Chakravarthy has endured this season. He pointed out that the wrist spinner went through a difficult start, dealt with injury, and then managed to return to form—an arc Nayar described as proof of Chakravarthy’s mindset.
Chakravarthy’s most recent problem came after a ball struck his foot during KKR’s clash with the Delhi Capitals, leaving him with a hairline fracture. Nayar noted that Chakravarthy has been bowling while clearly uncomfortable, and that the situation sparked discussion about whether the BCCI had done enough to prevent him from being pushed too hard during the ten-team competition.
While addressing those concerns, Nayar stressed that Chakravarthy has already overcome multiple physical blows in the tournament. He referenced that Chakravarthy had previously broken two fingers in the campaign and has now added a toe issue to his list of injuries.
“I always say the toughest characters learn to overcome pain and adversity, and that is exactly what Varun is,” Nayar said. He added that Chakravarthy is highly driven and feels the franchise deeply, describing him as someone who understands what his continued presence means to the group.
Nayar also explained the emotional side of the decision-making. He said Chakravarthy becomes very emotional about the team and everyone connected to it, and that this passion lies behind his desire to keep playing rather than forcing himself out of the contest.
“Sometimes players are not keen to push through, but he has been very keen because of the love he has for the city and the franchise,” Nayar concluded.
Raghuvanshi ruled out as KKR chase a playoff chance
Nayar then turned to the team’s selection situation, confirming that Angkrish Raghuvanshi will miss the match after being ruled out due to a concussion and a finger fracture. He said the absence is difficult to absorb, especially with KKR taking on the Delhi Capitals at Eden Gardens on Sunday evening while still carrying a slight hope of reaching the playoffs.
He said KKR have become accustomed to setbacks since the start of the season, with injuries among the biggest challenges. Nayar described Raghuvanshi as an integral part of the side not only with the bat but also for his work as a wicketkeeper behind the stumps.
Nayar stressed that it is not simple to replace a player with that kind of all-round value. However, he insisted that KKR have internal solutions, mentioning Manish Pandey as an example of someone who stepped into the number three role and did his job.
He added that the situation can also open the door for another player—particularly one of the younger wicketkeepers—to come in and make an impact. According to Nayar, this tournament has frequently been about opportunities, and the next chance could belong to whoever grabs it.
Dubey praised after memorable spell; timing and role clarity
Nayar also praised young pacer Saurabh Dubey for his composure during his first IPL season. He specifically pointed to Dubey’s memorable spell against the Mumbai Indians as a sign of how well the youngster has handled the moment.
The coach said Dubey was not originally part of the squad when he first entered their set-up. Nayar explained that he had seen Dubey bowl during the D.Y. Patil tournament, where he impressed in competition, and that when the franchise decided to take the risk, the coaches believed he was performing well.
Nayar noted that Dubey had not played a large amount of domestic cricket during that season. Because of that, he described the franchise’s approach as watching and assessing before fully stepping into the IPL environment, adding that he believes destiny plays a major role when players receive their moment.
He then contrasted Dubey’s arrival with the contribution of Vaibhav. Nayar said there would always be “ifs and buts,” but felt Vaibhav had produced strongly for KKR up to that point, winning games and delivering crucial overs. In Nayar’s view, the team had seen Vaibhav as an all-phase bowler, while they viewed Dubey more as a new-ball option.
“So, I think the timing was perfect, as it often is when things are meant to happen,” Nayar said. He reiterated that Saurabh has been tremendous, highlighting the maturity shown by the pacer and the importance of several overs he bowled during the tournament.
Finally, Nayar said Dubey should be proud of what he has achieved and added that everyone in the franchise is equally proud of the effort he has delivered.
