Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) assistant coach Shane Watson has praised Varun Chakravarthy for his determination to play in IPL 2026 despite suffering a hairline fracture in his left foot. Chakravarthy sustained the injury during a match against Delhi Capitals on May 8 and missed the subsequent game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 13. However, he returned to the field for crucial matches against Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians, showcasing his commitment to the team. Watson remarked on Chakravarthy's bravery, stating, "He's obviously playing through a bit of pain at the moment, which just shows how brave he is." Despite struggling initially in the tournament, Chakravarthy rebounded by taking 10 wickets in four matches, significantly aiding KKR's playoff aspirations. KKR has experienced a resurgence, winning six of their last seven matches, keeping their playoff hopes alive. In addition, Watson highlighted the impressive performance of veteran player Manish Pandey, who scored 45 runs in their recent victory over Mumbai Indians. The team is now focused on their final match against Delhi Capitals, aiming for a playoff spot.