IPL 2019: Mystery Spinner Varun Chakravarthy In Doubt To Play For KXIP Due To An Injury
Apr 16, 2019 at 10:22 AM
Kings XI Punjab’s mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy is in doubt to play the any of the games for the franchise this season as he is suffering from an injury that could sideline him from IPL 2019.
The news was confirmed by franchise, which, in its release, said that Chakravarthy has picked up an injury.
“It’s unfortunate that Varun picked up the injury. But these things happen in cricket. We have great faith in his abilities and we can only hope that he recovers soon,” KXIP’s CEO Satish Menon said in a statement.
It comes as a blow for the franchise as the owners had spent big bucks on him.
(Photo: TNPL)
Chakravarthy was purchased by the franchise for a record price of Rs 8.40 Crore, which made the costliest player in IPL auction along with Rajasthan Royal’s Jaydev Unadkat.
However, on road to IPL, Chakravarthy missed out on competitive action due to an injury that kept him out of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
He made his IPL debut against Kolkata Knight Riders last month.
Sunil Narine hit him for 24 runs off five balls of his first over. He made a great comeback and gave just 35 runs in three overs that he bowled on the day, also scalping the wicket of Nitish Rana.
The mystery leg-spinner was later dropped from the squad but there were hopes that he could be back in the squad.
At the same time, reports also emerged that he has suffered an injury, which could be presumed as the reason behind his absence from playing XI.
It remains to be seen if the franchise asks for a replacement for Chakravarthy.
(Photo: BCCI)
For now, R Ashwin is leading the spin attack for KXIP quite well and on occasions, Mujeeb ur Rahman is also playing his part.
Though he is not a permanent member of playing XI.
The R Ashwin-led side is currently placed at the fifth spot in the points table.
They have won four games out of eight matches that they have played so far in the tournament.
KXIP now face Rajasthan Royals in their next match at their home ground i.e. IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali.
A win in this match will see KXIP displace Kolkata Knight Riders from the fourth spot in the points table.
Also, they need to win 4-5 game out of six matches that they are set to play.
Hence, KXIP will look to post a win at their home ground before travelling to Delhi later in the week.