Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) head coach Abhishek Nayar has continued to back spinner Varun Chakravarthy to come good despite his recent struggles. This comes before KKR’s first home game of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL), where they face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Thursday, April 2.
Chakravarthy had a disappointing opening game of the new season against the Mumbai Indian (MI). The 34-year-old conceded 48 runs from his four overs without taking a wicket as the three-time champions suffered a six-wicket defeat despite posting 220 while batting first.
Nayar has given the assurance that KKR will continue to back Charavarthy and fully expect him to bounce back to his brilliant best, sooner rather than later. The 42-year-old, however, credits the opposition batters for tackling the spinner well over the past few matches.
"Over the years, he's gone through a lot of adversity. As a franchise, as a support staff, we back him. I don't think there's any issue. But yes, teams are playing him well. It doesn't mean he can't come back. It just means it's another challenge in his life, like he's had before. And we are trying and we are hoping, and in every way backing him. I hope the fans of the world do too. Whether it's this game or in the future, it's inevitable that he will bounce back like he has in the past,” Nayar was quoted as saying on Hindustan Times.
Nayar suggests that Chakravarthy is a victim of his own success, which has rightfully increased expectations from the right-arm spinner. The KKR head coach has also insisted that the star bowler has not made any drastic changes to the way he bowls.
"I honestly believe mentally he's in a very good space -- actually in a better space than he's been in previous years. Yes, he's accomplished a lot over the past year, which has increased expectations. Everyone always knew Varun Chakravarthy is a terrific bowler, but the expectation has grown because of what he's done for India. Statistically, he's pretty much bowled the same speeds that he always has. HawkEye suggests he's bowled the same lengths. But sometimes players just play you better than what you're doing,” he added.
Chakravarthy’s form coming into the IPL was not the best, following his struggles towards the end of the T20 World Cup. Despite ending the tournament as the joint-highest wicket-taker along with teammate Jasprit Bumrah with 14 scalps each, the spinner bowled at an average economy rate of 9.25.
Throughout the years, KKR have heavily relied on their spinners to guide them to victories. They will, therefore, need Chakravarthy to come good soon if they aim to return to the playoffs following an underwhelming campaign in 2025.
