Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) assistant coach Shane Watson has commended spinner Varun Chakravarthy for his determination to play through pain caused by a hairline fracture in his left foot. Chakravarthy sustained the injury while fielding during a match against Delhi Capitals on May 8, leading to his absence in the subsequent game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 13. Despite his injury, he returned to play in crucial matches against the Gujarat Titans and the Mumbai Indians. Watson noted that Chakravarthy's willingness to play in pain illustrates his bravery and commitment to the team. Since the T20 World Cup, Chakravarthy struggled to find his rhythm, going wicketless in his first three IPL games and conceding 105 runs. However, he has since bounced back, taking 10 wickets in his last four matches, significantly contributing to KKR's playoff hopes. Watson expressed his appreciation for Chakravarthy's skills and his desire to play for KKR, emphasizing the positive turnaround in his performance as the tournament progressed.