Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane stated that he only decided to play mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy despite having a fractured left toe after receiving medical permission.
Ishan Kishan’s straight shot impacted Chakaravarthy’s shoe during KKR’s match against Sunrisers Hyderabad earlier this month, causing a hairline fracture. The spinner had previously played with two finger fractures on his non-bowling left hand, making it his third injury this season.
“See, our team’s physios and the physios of BCCI and the Indian team, there was a discussion among them. I don’t get involved in that at all. That’s their department. My department is how’s the player’s mindset, does the player want to play or not, how big is the risk?” Rahane told reporters after KKR’s final league match on Sunday.
“Yes, it’s important to consider the health factor, to stay fit. Your injuries shouldn’t increase. Yes, we think about that. But the physios felt that his injuries won’t increase.”
Chakaravarthy continued to play for KKR in spite of the fracture.
The BCCI’s Centre of Excellence, the Indian team physiotherapists, and the KKR medical staff worked closely together to handle Chakaravarthy’s injuries as a centrally contracted player.
Franchises follow a set procedure to update the BCCI on the fitness of centrally contracted players, particularly when there is a chance of exacerbating injuries. Rahane claimed that Chakaravarthy’s perseverance in the face of suffering demonstrated his dedication to the squad.
“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.
