- By Namrata Vijay
- Wed, 08 Apr 2026 08:32 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
LSG vs KKR IPL 2026: Kolkata Knight Riders played against Punjab Kings in their last IPL 2026 match at their backyard earlier this week and dropped the spin duo of Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy from their playing XI for the first time in seven years. Both played a huge role in helping the team lift its third IPL title in 2024, with Varun taking 21 wickets and Narine 17.
But there has been a clear dip in their performance this season, as they have taken just one wicket in two matches. They're getting dropped from their match against the Shreyas Iyer-led side, only further weakening their already fragile bowling lineup. The Kolkata-based franchise revealed that Narine has resumed training and attended their session ahead of the upcoming match against the Lucknow Super Giants. Varun will still be snubbed due to a finger injury, and there is no clarity on when he will return.
"Sunil Narine experienced some abdominal pain, which caused him to miss the last game, but he has recovered well. He attended training yesterday and today, so he looks good. Varun has a finger injury; we will know the exact update on that later," a KKR official told reporters during the pre-match press conference.
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NARINE-VARUN MAGIC OVER?
Over the last few years, Narine's form has dipped as opponents have built plans to face him early in their innings. During IPL 2025, he took 12 wickets at an average of more than 29.
Varun's form has also gone downhill after the Super 8s stage of the recently concluded T20 World Cup, as he had leaked runs in key matches. In the ongoing season, his economy rate has exceeded 13 in the two matches he has played.
Ex-India spinner R Ashwin highlighted that the star spinners' form has dipped in the last two editions, posing a huge challenge for the Kolkata-based franchise.
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"I don’t think oppositions will be worried after looking at KKR’s bowling attack. I think the mystery factory, the novelty factor, and the fear, that particular facet, would have gone. Earlier, batters used to go to the analyst’s room, watch the bowler’s hand, or look to take a single,” Ashwin was quoted as saying on his YouTube channel.
The Ajinkya Rahane-led side finally scored one point after playing three matches so far, as their last match at home was abandoned.