IPL 2026: Varun’s Ability Was Never In Doubt, Break Helped Him Bounce Back, Says Bravo

IPL 2026: Varun’s ability was never in doubt, break helped him bounce back, says Bravo (Image Source: IANS)

Kolkata Knight Riders: Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Dwayne Bravo said the bowling unit has benefited from Varun Chakravarthy’s return to form, adding that his ability to pick wickets was never in doubt and that a six-day mid-season break helped the wrist-spinner to bounce back.

Chakravarthy has turned his campaign around with two three‑wicket hauls in his last three outings. KKR’s fortunes have mirrored his form - they were winless in three games in IPL 2026 when he went wicketless, but have a 3‑1 record when he has picked two or more wickets in this season.

Overall, Chakaravarthy has 10 wickets from seven innings at an economy of 8.9, including best figures of 3-14. After going wicketless in his first three matches at an economy of 11.7, he has claimed 10 wickets in his last four games at 7.3 runs per over.

“I think in sports, especially when you play sports, it's very result‑oriented. Sometimes people get very emotional. A player like Varun, who's a world‑class spinner, just came out of the World Cup, which was also a very hectic tournament. So a break at the right time is always important.

“But no one ever questioned his ability because again, when you're so good, it's only a matter of time before you come back into form. The group is very supportive of him. A mental break is also very needed, especially in a tournament like IPL, where there are so many games, high pressure, and the best versus the best.

“It doesn't matter who you are as a player. There are so many other quality players struggling this season. I think that's the beauty of the sport. Players have to go through those moments, but eventually they will bounce back,” said Bravo in the pre-match press conference, ahead of KKR facing Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Friday evening.

On the availability of Matheesha Pathirana, Bravo said captain Ajinkya Rahane and head coach Abhishek Nayar will decide when he will be fielded in the season. “They will always have plans to play someone like him. He is quality, but he's also someone you have to not rush back into anything.

“His loads are up, his bowling loads are up, and I think he's very close to playing. We leave the coach and the captain to decide that. We all want to see him playing cricket again, but we also want to make sure the timing is right, because someone like that, the type of injury that he had, you don't want to rush him. But it's good to have someone like Pathirana and me amongst the group again, because he's quality,” he added.

On his impression of young pacers in the KKR set-up, including Kartik Tyagi being impressive, Bravo showered rich praise on him. “Kartik Tyagi is a bright prospect, and he's always someone with a lot of potential. Someone India has already had bright hopes of. For us as a bowling group, Southee and myself, we're not only with Tyagi, but with every bowler. Vaibhav is also doing a very good job, especially in the back end.

“That bowling requires you to be brave and skilful, but it also requires you to put in the work in the nets first. I think with our guidance, we don't allow bowlers to just bowl in the nets for bowling. We allow them to bowl with specific plans, specific field placements, and it's the only phase of the game that is very, very particular.

“Tyagi is someone who loves to learn. He asks a lot of questions and has a lot of energy. Sometimes we have to tell him as coaches, ‘OK, please rest, take it easy.’ He says, ‘No sir, no sir, I want to bowl, I want to bowl. But it's a lovely bunch. Umran Malik, someone working very hard as well – he wants his opportunity and chance. But unfortunately, he didn't have it this season so far.

“But it's a group I'm very happy to be working with because they are young and energetic, and they're willing to learn, and you can see the improvement. All these guys needed was guidance, and to feel loved, and appreciated, and that's what my job is, to make sure that these guys are protected and they learn as they go along in the game.”

On his coaching style, with Delhi Capitals pacer Lungi Ngidi acknowledging that Bravo taught him the mastery of slower balls, the legendary West Indies all-rounder explained, “I'm very hands‑on, especially since Lungi talked about that. Everyone wants me to teach them that slower ball – so thanks, Lungi. But it's one of my strengths when I used to play, and also my strength was my ability to read and understand the game.

“But it's a group I'm very happy to be working with because they are young and energetic, and they're willing to learn, and you can see the improvement. All these guys needed was guidance, and to feel loved, and appreciated, and that's what my job is, to make sure that these guys are protected and they learn as they go along in the game.”

“I do share it a lot with my bowling group. So as you can see, all these guys use the variations in games – Vaibhav, Tyagi, everyone. Yesterday, I had a whole one‑on‑one session with Pathirana because he wanted a specific one to dip. But there's more to a slower ball. The brain is the most important thing, and that's what I try to teach the younger bowling group because if they're able to think the game, I think they're all going to be better bowlers," he concluded.

Article Source: IANS