Former India batter Suresh Raina has praised Kolkata Knight Riders spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, saying he bowled with good accuracy against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Notably, Chakaravarthy claimed four wickets as KKR beat RCB by 81 runs at Eden Gardens in Kolkata as well.

Speaking to Jio Cinema, Raina said that Chakaravarthy bowled with good accuracy and pace against Bangalore which dismantled their batting order. However, Chakaravarthy finished the game with four wickets, giving away just 15 runs in his 3.4 overs as well.

“Today, we got to see good accuracy from his (Varun) bowling and there was pace as well. Over the last year, we didn’t see pace as much because the ball wouldn’t go off the wicket,” said Suresh Raina.

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He further added that Chakaravarthy’s fitness looked great based on how he grabbed the catch to dismiss Dinesh Karthik. KKR posted 204/7 in their allotted 20 overs and bowled out RCB for 123 to comfortably win the match by 81 runs as well.

“He had a shoulder injury that he came back from and a knee injury as well. His fitness is looking great based on how he caught the ball. When you return from injury and perform well at the start of a tournament, it changes your confidence,” Suresh Raina again shared.

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However, KKR recovered from 89 for 5 in the 12th over to 204 for 7 courtesy of Shardul Thakur’s blistering half-century. Rahmanullah Gurbaz also played an important role with a stable 57, but it was Shardul who pulled the Knight Riders out of the danger zone after Andre Russell had been dismissed for a golden duck. Shardul Thakur scored a 29-ball 68 as KKR finished with 204/7 as well. Later, Varun Chakaravarthy picked up four wickets, whereas debutant Suyash Sharma scalped three wickets and Sunil Narine grabbed two wickets and restricted RCB for 123 runs in 17.4 overs.