Kolkata Knight Riders faced a setback in their recent match against Punjab Kings, missing their seasoned spin duo of Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy. At the toss, captain Ajinkya Rahane informed that Narine was sidelined by illness, while Varun had sustained a finger injury in the previous game against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
As the team gears up for their upcoming fixture against Lucknow Super Giants, additional details regarding the players’ conditions have emerged. Narine is recovering from an abdominal issue and has returned to practice with the squad ahead of the match. Initially, information about Varun’s fitness was scarce, raising questions about his availability. However, a subsequent update confirmed that both players participated in the training session on the eve of the match. The team clarified that Varun injured the little finger on his left hand while catching a ball in the match against SRH. Although he has resumed training, his participation in the upcoming game is contingent on a final fitness assessment.
“Sunil had fallen ill on the morning of our match against PBKS, which kept him out of the XI. He has since recovered and trained with the team both yesterday and today, contributing with both batting and bowling. Varun injured his little finger while taking a catch in the match against SRH. Our medical team has been closely monitoring him. He completed his full bowling set in today’s training. We will determine their availability for tomorrow’s match against LSG at the toss,” KKR’s statement read.
Kolkata Knight Riders are seeking their first victory in IPL 2026, having lost their initial matches against the Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad, with their third match against Punjab being called off due to rain. The team has struggled significantly in the tournament, and criticism has mounted following Rahane’s decision to bat first against Punjab in overcast conditions. Tactical shortcomings are apparent, and addressing these issues is crucial for the team’s upcoming performances.
