Varun Chakravarthy Reveals He Played With Two Hand Fractures in KKR’s First IPL 2026 Victory Over Rajasthan Royals
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) spinner Varun Chakravarthy disclosed he is managing two fractures in his left hand after leading his team to their first victory of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. The mystery spinner earned Player of the Match honors for his figures of 3/14, helping KKR secure a four-wicket win against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at Eden Gardens.
Managing Injuries and Spin Dominance
Chakravarthy missed two earlier fixtures due to an initial finger injury. Despite the lingering fractures, he returned to the field to anchor the KKR bowling attack.
“In the first few matches I was injured. I still have two fractures in my left hand. So I am just trying to manage that,” Chakravarthy stated during the post-match presentation. He noted the Eden Gardens pitch played slightly slower than usual, allowing the spin department to capitalize. “We made the most of it. We are just making a statement that we are not pushovers. We are here to win every match and make a strong contention for the trophy.”
Match Summary and Key Performances
Operating alongside veteran West Indian spinner Sunil Narine, who claimed 2/26, Chakravarthy dismantled the Rajasthan batting lineup. The spin duo, supported by rookie fast bowler Kartik Tyagi (3/22), restricted the Royals to 155/9 in their 20 overs.
| Bowler | Overs | Wickets | Runs Conceded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Varun Chakravarthy | 4 | 3 | 14 |
| Kartik Tyagi | 4 | 3 | 22 |
| Sunil Narine | 4 | 2 | 26 |
During the run chase, KKR encountered early resistance before vice-captain Rinku Singh stabilized the innings. Singh registered an unbeaten 53 to guide Kolkata across the finish line with four wickets to spare.
- Match Result: Kolkata Knight Riders won by 4 wickets.
- First Innings: Rajasthan Royals 155/9 (20 overs).
- Top Scorer (KKR): Rinku Singh (53 not out).
- Player of the Match: Varun Chakravarthy.
The result injects momentum into the Kolkata Knight Riders’ campaign. For official tournament standings and upcoming match schedules, visit the official IPL website or review historical match data on ESPNcricinfo.