IPL 2026: Sunil Narine set for return, Varun Chakravarthy doubtful ahead of LSG clash

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have received a timely boost ahead of their clash against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Thursday, April 9, as veteran spinner Sunil Narine has recovered from illness and is set to return to action.

Narine had missed KKR’s previous fixture against the Punjab Kings (PBKS), which was eventually washed out due to rain. The experienced all-rounder was reportedly dealing with an abdominal issue on the eve of the match. However, he resumed training on Tuesday and is now expected to be available, providing much-needed stability to KKR’s bowling attack.

In contrast, there remains uncertainty over the availability of Varun Chakravarthy. The mystery spinner is still recovering from a left-hand injury sustained while fielding against the Sunrisers Hyderabad last week. He was seen with heavy taping on his hand during the PBKS match and again during training at Eden Gardens on Wednesday. As of now, there is no clear timeline for his return, making his participation against LSG doubtful.

The absence of both Narine and Chakravarthy in the previous game marked the first time since the IPL 2019 that KKR fielded an XI without their premier spin duo. In that match, Anukul Roy was the only specialist spinner, highlighting the team’s lack of depth due to injuries and unavailability.

Adding to the positives, Cameron Green is expected to start contributing with the ball from this match onward. According to reports, the all-rounder has been bowling in training sessions, and the team management, in coordination with Cricket Australia, has been carefully managing his workload. His inclusion as a bowling option could significantly strengthen KKR’s overall balance.

KKR’s campaign in the IPL 2026 has not started as planned. With just one point from three matches, following two consecutive defeats and a washout, the team will be eager to bounce back. Narine’s return and the potential addition of Green’s bowling could play a crucial role as KKR look to turn their season around against LSG.