Varun Chakaravarthy. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)
The 53rd game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 featured a thrilling clash between the two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders and the Shikhar Dhawan-led Punjab Kings at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on May 8.
Bowling first, Kolkata did well to limit Punjab to 179 in the first innings as Indian spinner Varun Chakravarthy proved crucial for the two-time champions. Chakravarthy has been in exceptional form for in IPL 2023. In the 11 matches he has played so far, the spinner has got 17 wickets to his name. Furthermore, against Punjab, he bowled four overs and conceded only 26 runs and took three crucial wickets.
Seeing his performance, former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh came forward to reflect on his showing and even revealed his injury problems that he has had to suffer through.
“When I played with him (for KKR), he had a lot of pain in his knee. He was playing while taking injections and applying ice packs, but he still bowled very well. His knee was totally finished when he was selected for the Indian team,” Harbhajan Singh told Star Sports.
“When I had spoken to him, it was only that he had to reduce his weight. There was a lot of pressure on his knee because of his weight. Now the knee is fine, he has reduced his weight, and is fielding and bowling better. So this guy has once again joined the line to come into the Indian team,” he added.
Meanwhile, coming in to chase 180, Kolkata skipper Nitish Rana scored a brilliant half-century to bring his side closer to a win. He scored 51 runs in 38 deliveries and played a resilient knock in the top order. However, it was the knock of West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell that came in clutch for the two-time champions. Russell scored 42 runs in just 23 deliveries and was one of the important contributors in KKR’s win. After his dismissal, Rinku Singh finished the game for his side with the very last ball of the game.