Varun Chakravarthy and Ajinkya Rahane (PTI Photo) Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has expressed concern over Ajinkya Rahane’s captaincy, particularly his use of Varun Chakaravarthy during Kolkata Knight Riders’ defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday.Pathan felt that Varun, who has been struggling for rhythm since the T20 World Cup, was not managed well at a time when he needed a boost. Although the enigmatic spinner finished the global tournament with 14 wickets – joint with Jasprit Bumrah – his economy rate remained worrying, crossing nine in a row. His struggles were particularly visible against South Africa where he conceded 47 runs in a heavy defeat.
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IPL 2026: Ajinkya Rahane backs KKR’s young attack after loss This dip in form carried over into the IPL season. Varun conceded 48 runs in four overs against Mumbai Indians and followed it up with another expensive outing against SRH where he conceded 31 runs in just two overs.Pathan pointed out that Rahane’s role as captain becomes even more critical at such stages, especially when the key bowler lacks confidence.“A captain plays a big role in boosting your confidence as a bowler. If he doesn’t back you up when you think you can be better and you have momentum, that’s where management comes into play and that’s why he (Varun Chakaravarthy) shouldn’t go for the power-play,” Pathan told ESPNCricinfo.Varun was introduced during the power over and was dismantled for 25 runs in a single over. Although he bounced back strongly in his next spell conceding only six runs, he did not get a chance to complete his full quota of overs.Pathan went further and suggested that the decision to bowl him early added unnecessary pressure on the bowler who was earlier a match winner for KKR.“You lose to a bowler, you know who can be your trump card, who can be your match winner, who was your match winner. You give him a tough job as a captain. So here Ajinkya Rahane did really well in the second half but the first half literally spoiled it with Varun Chakaravarthy when he bowled him in the over,” he concluded.With Varun’s form under scrutiny and KKR struggling to find balance at the start of the season, Rahane’s tactical challenges are likely to remain in focus in the upcoming matches.
