IPL 2026: Varun Chakaravarthy played with fractured toe after medical clearance by KKR

IPL 2026: Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane said Varun Chakaravarthy kept playing only after doctors approved it.

Varun Chakaravarthy was carrying a fractured left toe during the final league phase. Rahane said medical staff handled the risk checks. Rahane said the focus stayed on fitness and avoiding any worse damage.

Varun Chakaravarthy picked up a hairline fracture earlier this month against Sunrisers Hyderabad. A straight drive from Ishan Kishan hit Varun Chakaravarthy’s shoe during that match. It was the third fracture for Varun Chakaravarthy this season. Varun Chakaravarthy earlier played with two finger fractures on the non-bowling left hand.

Varun Chakaravarthy injury clearance and KKR medical process

"See, our teams physios and the physios of BCCI and the Indian team, there was a discussion among them. I dont get involved in that at all. Thats their department. My department is hows the players mindset, does the player want to play or not, how big is the risk? Rahane told reporters after KKRs final league match on Sunday.\"

\"Yes, its important to consider the health factor, to stay fit. Your injuries shouldnt increase. Yes, we think about that. But the physios felt that his injuries wont increase.\"

Despite the toe fracture, Varun Chakaravarthy continued to play for KKR. Varun Chakaravarthy is a centrally contracted India player. Because of that, injury updates involved several medical groups. These included the KKR support team, the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence, and Indian team physios.

Varun Chakaravarthy injury protocol with BCCI and Indian team

Rahane said there is a standard protocol for centrally contracted players. Under that system, franchises keep the BCCI informed about a player’s condition. This becomes more important when an injury could get worse. Rahane said the medical teams coordinated closely before decisions were made.

Rahane said Varun Chakaravarthy’s attitude also mattered during the process. Rahane said Varun Chakaravarthy wanted to help the side despite pain. Rahane said that message from Varun Chakaravarthy supported the staff planning. Rahane also said the final call on risk stayed with the physios.

"Varun was eager to play. And he gets all the credit because in that injury, you show how important the team is for you. Varun was completely ready. Yes, we had to give him a break in one match because he was in a lot of pain. But he thought he could play. That communication came from him," Rahane said.

"When a player says he can play, it sends a positive message to the physios and the team that he wants to play. He showed his eagerness to play. And the injury risk management was done by the physios. They thought the injury wouldn't increase," he added.

Rahane said Varun Chakaravarthy’s injury was monitored through medical discussions and agreed checks. Rahane said the team also gave Varun Chakaravarthy a break in one match due to pain. Still, Varun Chakaravarthy returned when cleared to play. Rahane said the plan aimed to protect fitness while keeping injury risk controlled.

With inputs from PTI