Varun Chakravarthy Blames Pitches for Recent Bowling Struggles
Kolkata Knight Riders spinner Varun Chakravarthy has openly addressed his recent challenges, attributing his form slump to unfavorable pitch conditions rather than any fundamental errors in his bowling technique. The mystery spinner made these remarks after delivering a standout performance, taking 3 wickets for just 14 runs on a slow Eden Gardens surface. This effort was instrumental in securing KKR's first victory after a six-match losing streak, as they defeated Rajasthan Royals by four wickets.
Responding to Criticism and Form Dip
When questioned about his difficult phase, which began during the T20 World Cup Super Eights match against South Africa on February 22, Chakravarthy responded with a pointed query: "Bowlers will concede runs. Which game are you talking about?" His struggles intensified after that match, where he was targeted by batsmen like David Miller and Dewald Brevis, and the trend continued into the IPL season.
Despite an impressive tally of 14 wickets in the T20 World Cup, alongside teammate Jasprit Bumrah, Chakravarthy's economy rate soared to over 11 runs per over in the latter stages. He managed only five wickets in his last five games. In IPL 2026, his woes persisted as he conceded 48 runs in four overs during the opening match against Mumbai Indians and took four matches to claim his first wicket.
Chakravarthy's Analysis of Pitch Conditions
Chakravarthy emphasized that there was no inherent flaw in his bowling. "Just because I've taken three wickets today, I don't want to make a sweeping statement. That's the nature of the game," he stated. He explained that spinners often struggle on unresponsive pitches, citing how initially every spinner faced difficulties. "In the next match, if the wicket has nothing in it, that's going to happen to every spinner. As you saw, initially every spinner was struggling. That's how it is," he added, as reported by news agency PTI.
He further clarified, "Once the pitches start slowing down, that's when we come into the game and become more effective. So it's the nature of the game and we can't change it. I don't think much about it." Chakravarthy insisted that his struggles were not due to personal mistakes. "I wasn't making any mistakes -- it was because of the pitches. I'm very tough on myself; if I don't do well, I analyse what went wrong. But the pitches earlier had nothing for spinners. If you see other spinners, it was the same for everyone. It's good that there is something in the pitch now."
Strategy and Effectiveness on Helpful Pitches
Chakravarthy highlighted that spinners thrive only when conditions are conducive. "Once there is something in the pitch, I go back to my strength -- attacking the stumps. But if there is nothing in the pitch, that's when bowlers start getting confused, even look clueless, and that happens to everyone. It has happened to the best of the best. So no one should be judged on just one good or bad performance."
Addressing suggestions about changes in his bowling, he denied altering his pace or lengths. "My speed has been the same. I haven't changed anything in speed or length. I've only tweaked my lines a bit... more cramping lines, not just the fourth stump channel but also wider on off or leg. I'm not sticking only to the stumps."
Emotional Victory and Team Support
Reflecting on the significance of the win, Chakravarthy described it as crucial for KKR after a slow start under captain Ajinkya Rahane. He credited head coach Abhishek Nayar for maintaining team focus and shielding players from external criticism. "Very, very significant. I can tell you I saw many tears in the dressing room today, which we didn't even see in the year we won the IPL in 2024," he shared emotionally.
He praised the coaching staff for their role in keeping the team united. "The main credit goes to the coaching staff because they didn't let the outside noise affect us. There were too many people making judgments which were totally baseless. At such times, you need a strong core, and we have that."
