Big setback for India as Varun Chakravarthy could miss the upcoming T20 World Cup

Varun Chakravarthy’s knees are troubling him, and if the BCCI source is to be believed, the mystery spinner could even miss the upcoming T20 World Cup in the UAE. He was selected in the main squad to give more edge to the Indian bowling. Varun has done exceptionally well in the last edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Playing for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), he has taken 32 wickets in 26 matches so far.

In the ongoing season, he has dismissed 15 batsmen in 13 matches at an economy rate of 6.73. “Varun’s knees are not in the greatest condition. He is in pain and trust me had it not been in a T20 World Cup, perhaps even Indian team management wouldn’t have taken the risk of playing him,” a BCCI source privy to the development told PTI on condition of anonymity.

“To be 100 percent fit, he might later require an extensive rehab but right now, the focus will be on his pain management during T20 World Cup.”

The medical teams of the franchise and the BCCI are monitoring his situation.

“As far as I know, the KKR’s support staff has prepared an elaborate strength and conditioning chart for Varun, which is a part of his larger injury management programme. He also is administered pain killer injections so that he can bowl his four overs without much difficulty.

“These are injections, till the time effect remains it helps the pain to subside. You can’t see it on TV, he looks in pain when he is not bowling and moving around the field,” the senior official quipped.

He is not allowed to dive while fielding. “Good captains know how to hide a fielder who otherwise is good with his primary skills — batting or bowling. You need Varun to bowl his four overs, take the regulation catches that comes his way.

“He is not expected to field like a Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja) or Virat,” a senior player who is aware of the situation remarked.