Kolkata Knight Riders spinner Varun Chakravarthy is enduring a tough start to IPL 2026, with his struggles once again exposed during the clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad. For the second consecutive match, Chakravarthy was heavily targeted in the Powerplay, raising questions about both his form and his utilisation.

After conceding 15 runs in an early over against Mumbai Indians, the mystery spinner was again handed the fifth over in KKR’s first home game. This time, Abhishek Sharma took him apart, smashing 25 runs and putting immediate pressure on the hosts. The decision to bowl him upfront has sparked debate, especially given his current lack of rhythm.

Interestingly, KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane held Chakravarthy back after that expensive spell, bringing him on only in the 11th over. The spinner responded with a tidy six-run over, but that proved to be his final contribution as Hyderabad went on to post a daunting 226/8.

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Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan did not hold back in his assessment of Rahane’s tactics. “Captain plays a big role in boosting a bowler’s confidence,” Pathan said. “When someone like Varun is out of form, giving him the toughest job in the Powerplay can hurt more than help. He has been a match-winner, but this wasn’t the right way to use him.”

Pathan added that while Rahane adjusted well later in the innings, the early decision cost KKR momentum. “The second half was better, but in the first half, the move to bowl Varun in the Powerplay didn’t work at all,” he explained.

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Addressing the situation post-match, Ajinkya Rahane acknowledged that Chakravarthy is going through a difficult phase. “It’s not compulsory for a bowler to complete four overs,” he said. “You have to understand what a player is going through mentally. If someone is struggling, you manage their workload accordingly.”

Rahane also stressed the importance of backing players during lean patches. With Chakravarthy conceding 79 runs in six wicketless overs so far, KKR’s focus remains on rebuilding his confidence rather than overburdening him in high-pressure situations.