×
IPL 2026: Batters picking Varun Chakaravarthy is a concern — Sourav Ganguly  Nothing seems to be going Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) way this season. The team management has come under scrutiny for some puzzling selection calls as the three-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champion has struggled to find rhythm in almost every department.The batting has lacked consistency, the bowling has often been erratic and below par, and Varun Chakravarthy’s worrying dip in form has only compounded the problems. Once considered KKR’s trump card, the mystery spinner has looked a shadow of himself in the two games he has played so far, appearing out of rhythm and lacking control.He was subsequently left out of the clash against Punjab Kings with an injury, though the team management has not clarified the exact nature of the setback or a possible timeline for his return.In a way, the enforced break could offer Chakaravarthy an opportunity to reset after a difficult run. But it also raises a larger question: what has gone wrong for the spinner who, over the past few seasons, established himself as one of KKR’s most reliable match-winners?“Varun is going through off-form, and the problem is that the batters are now being able to pick Varun as they know which delivery he would bowl. That’s a matter of concern,” former India captain Sourav Ganguly said.Signs of this dip have been evident since the Super Eights stage of the T20 World Cup, with opposition teams increasingly attacking him during key phases of the innings. While the KKR camp maintains that the spinner remains mentally strong and confident of working his way through the lean patch, the numbers paint a stark picture. In two IPL appearances so far, Varun has bowled just six overs, conceding 79 runs without picking up a wicket.Against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Eden Gardens, the leg-spinner was unable to complete his quota of four overs after conceding 25 runs in his very first over, immediately putting the pressure on the rest of the attack. Despite putting in extended hours in the nets in a bid to rediscover his rhythm, the desired turnaround has so far proved elusive.For KKR, which has already struggled to build momentum this season, Varun rediscovering his bite could be key to turning its campaign around. Until then, the Knight Riders continue to search for answers in a tournament that is quickly beginning to slip away.Published on Apr 07, 2026  #IPL #Batters #picking #Varun #Chakaravarthy #concern #Sourav #Ganguly

IPL 2026: Batters picking Varun Chakaravarthy is a concern — Sourav Ganguly

Nothing seems to be going Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) way this season. The team management has come under scrutiny for some puzzling selection calls as the three-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champion has struggled to find rhythm in almost every department.

The batting has lacked consistency, the bowling has often been erratic and below par, and Varun Chakravarthy’s worrying dip in form has only compounded the problems. Once considered KKR’s trump card, the mystery spinner has looked a shadow of himself in the two games he has played so far, appearing out of rhythm and lacking control.

He was subsequently left out of the clash against Punjab Kings with an injury, though the team management has not clarified the exact nature of the setback or a possible timeline for his return.

In a way, the enforced break could offer Chakaravarthy an opportunity to reset after a difficult run. But it also raises a larger question: what has gone wrong for the spinner who, over the past few seasons, established himself as one of KKR’s most reliable match-winners?

“Varun is going through off-form, and the problem is that the batters are now being able to pick Varun as they know which delivery he would bowl. That’s a matter of concern,” former India captain Sourav Ganguly said.

Signs of this dip have been evident since the Super Eights stage of the T20 World Cup, with opposition teams increasingly attacking him during key phases of the innings. While the KKR camp maintains that the spinner remains mentally strong and confident of working his way through the lean patch, the numbers paint a stark picture. In two IPL appearances so far, Varun has bowled just six overs, conceding 79 runs without picking up a wicket.

Against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Eden Gardens, the leg-spinner was unable to complete his quota of four overs after conceding 25 runs in his very first over, immediately putting the pressure on the rest of the attack. Despite putting in extended hours in the nets in a bid to rediscover his rhythm, the desired turnaround has so far proved elusive.

For KKR, which has already struggled to build momentum this season, Varun rediscovering his bite could be key to turning its campaign around. Until then, the Knight Riders continue to search for answers in a tournament that is quickly beginning to slip away.

Published on Apr 07, 2026

#IPL #Batters #picking #Varun #Chakaravarthy #concern #Sourav #Ganguly

Nothing seems to be going Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) way this season. The team management has come under scrutiny for some puzzling selection calls as the three-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champion has struggled to find rhythm in almost every department.

The batting has lacked consistency, the bowling has often been erratic and below par, and Varun Chakravarthy’s worrying dip in form has only compounded the problems. Once considered KKR’s trump card, the mystery spinner has looked a shadow of himself in the two games he has played so far, appearing out of rhythm and lacking control.

He was subsequently left out of the clash against Punjab Kings with an injury, though the team management has not clarified the exact nature of the setback or a possible timeline for his return.

In a way, the enforced break could offer Chakaravarthy an opportunity to reset after a difficult run. But it also raises a larger question: what has gone wrong for the spinner who, over the past few seasons, established himself as one of KKR’s most reliable match-winners?

“Varun is going through off-form, and the problem is that the batters are now being able to pick Varun as they know which delivery he would bowl. That’s a matter of concern,” former India captain Sourav Ganguly said.

Signs of this dip have been evident since the Super Eights stage of the T20 World Cup, with opposition teams increasingly attacking him during key phases of the innings. While the KKR camp maintains that the spinner remains mentally strong and confident of working his way through the lean patch, the numbers paint a stark picture. In two IPL appearances so far, Varun has bowled just six overs, conceding 79 runs without picking up a wicket.

Against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Eden Gardens, the leg-spinner was unable to complete his quota of four overs after conceding 25 runs in his very first over, immediately putting the pressure on the rest of the attack. Despite putting in extended hours in the nets in a bid to rediscover his rhythm, the desired turnaround has so far proved elusive.

For KKR, which has already struggled to build momentum this season, Varun rediscovering his bite could be key to turning its campaign around. Until then, the Knight Riders continue to search for answers in a tournament that is quickly beginning to slip away.

Published on Apr 07, 2026

Source link
#IPL #Batters #picking #Varun #Chakaravarthy #concern #Sourav #Ganguly

Previous post

Inside Jessica Simpson’s ‘Nice’ and ‘Cordial’ Run-In With Ex-Husband Nick Lachey

Next post

Deadspin | Kyle Connor tallies twice as rising Jets handle Kraken <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28671996.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28671996.jpg" alt="NHL: Seattle Kraken at Winnipeg Jets" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 6, 2026; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets center Jonathan Toews (19) scores on Seattle Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) in the first period at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Kyle Connor scored two goals and Mark Scheifele had three assists in the Winnipeg Jets’ 6-2 win over the visiting Seattle Kraken on Monday.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>The Jets improved to 6-2-0 in their past eight games. This hot streak has put Winnipeg (34-31-12, 80 points) three points back of the final Western Conference wild-card berth.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Gabriel Vilardi and Jonathan Toews each had a goal and an assist for Winnipeg, and Josh Morrissey recorded two assists. Vladislav Namestnikov and Brad Lambert scored the Jets’ other goals.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck stopped 22 of 24 shots.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>The Jets went 3-for-3 on the power play, winning the battle of struggling special-teams units. Winnipeg entered Monday with the fifth-worst power-play percentage (17.22%) in the NHL, while Seattle’s 72.77% penalty-kill percentage ranked second worst in the league.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-6"> <p>Seattle is 1-7-2 in its past 10 games and winless in the past five games (0-4-1). The late collapse has all but officially ended the Kraken’s playoff hopes, as Seattle (32-33-11, 75 points) is eight points back of the final West wild card spot.</p> </section> <section id="section-7"> <p>Jordan Eberle and Jared McCann scored for the Kraken.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>Philipp Grubauer stopped 15 of 18 shots before leaving the game with a lower-body injury 13:20 into the second period. Joey Daccord turned aside 10 of 12 shots the rest of the way.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Eberle converted his own rebound on a backhander to open the scoring 9:17 into the first period. A fortunate bounce led to Toews’ power-play equalizer at 12:39 of the opening frame, as Vilardi’s tip-in attempt ricocheted off the glass and bounced in front to Toews for the close-range conversion.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>The breaks continued to go Winnipeg’s way on two more power-play goals, beginning with Vilardi’s tally 9:55 into the second period. Toews’ pass deflected off two Kraken players before Vilardi deposited the loose puck. Just over two minutes later, Connor’s shot deflected into the net off of Seattle defenseman Ryan Lindgren.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>McCann narrowed Seattle’s deficit with a well-placed wrist shot 2:28 into the third period, but Lambert responded with a wrister of his own at the 5:59 mark. The Jets then pulled away on Connor’s one-timer at 15:19 of the final frame, and Namestnikov added an empty-netter at 17:56.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-12"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Kyle #Connor #tallies #rising #Jets #handle #Kraken

The newly-appointed Sri Lanka women’s cricket team head coach Jamie Siddons on Tuesday urged the players to work hard to improve their skill sets to compete more meaningfully against top teams like India, Australia and England.

Sri Lanka will come across England, New Zealand and the West Indies in the Women’s T20 World Cup later this year, and Siddons wanted to see a tangible improvement.

“I just think we need to develop more skills, hit the ball hard, score more boundaries without being reckless,” he told reporters here.

This will be Siddons’ first stint with a women’s team, having had a long record of coaching men’s cricket sides, including Bangladesh from 2007-11.

His sole international appearance for Australia came in 1988 in an ODI against Pakistan.

Sri Lanka head coach Siddons looks to set style of play in Bangladesh tour  The newly-appointed Sri Lanka women’s cricket team head coach Jamie Siddons on Tuesday urged the players to work hard to improve their skill sets to compete more meaningfully against top teams like India, Australia and England.Sri Lanka will come across England, New Zealand and the West Indies in the Women’s T20 World Cup later this year, and Siddons wanted to see a tangible improvement.“I just think we need to develop more skills, hit the ball hard, score more boundaries without being reckless,” he told reporters here.This will be Siddons’ first stint with a women’s team, having had a long record of coaching men’s cricket sides, including Bangladesh from 2007-11.His sole international appearance for Australia came in 1988 in an ODI against Pakistan. Siddons said he was aware that Sri Lanka had fared poorly in the last two women’s World Cups, winning a single match.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images
                            

                            Siddons said he was aware that Sri Lanka had fared poorly in the last two women’s World Cups, winning a single match.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images
                                                    Siddons said his first task would be to guide the tea during its tour to Bangladesh starting on April 20. “That is where we will look to set our style of play”, he said referring to the three-match T20 and ODI series.Siddons said he was aware that Sri Lanka had fared poorly in the last two women’s World Cups, winning a single match.“That is where we need to see how we can perform better,” Siddons said.He said currently India, Australia, New Zealand and England are the top teams and Sri Lanka was looking forward to doing well against England in the opening match of the World Cup in June.“We are focusing on the first game against England, on their home ground and home soil,” Siddons said.Siddons took over from Ramesh Ratnayake, who led the women’s team to victory in the 2024 Asia Cup final beating India.Published on Apr 07, 2026  #Sri #Lanka #coach #Siddons #set #style #play #Bangladesh #tour

Siddons said he was aware that Sri Lanka had fared poorly in the last two women’s World Cups, winning a single match. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

lightbox-info

Siddons said he was aware that Sri Lanka had fared poorly in the last two women’s World Cups, winning a single match. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Siddons said his first task would be to guide the tea during its tour to Bangladesh starting on April 20. “That is where we will look to set our style of play”, he said referring to the three-match T20 and ODI series.

Siddons said he was aware that Sri Lanka had fared poorly in the last two women’s World Cups, winning a single match.

“That is where we need to see how we can perform better,” Siddons said.

He said currently India, Australia, New Zealand and England are the top teams and Sri Lanka was looking forward to doing well against England in the opening match of the World Cup in June.

“We are focusing on the first game against England, on their home ground and home soil,” Siddons said.

Siddons took over from Ramesh Ratnayake, who led the women’s team to victory in the 2024 Asia Cup final beating India.

Published on Apr 07, 2026

#Sri #Lanka #coach #Siddons #set #style #play #Bangladesh #tour">Sri Lanka head coach Siddons looks to set style of play in Bangladesh tour  The newly-appointed Sri Lanka women’s cricket team head coach Jamie Siddons on Tuesday urged the players to work hard to improve their skill sets to compete more meaningfully against top teams like India, Australia and England.Sri Lanka will come across England, New Zealand and the West Indies in the Women’s T20 World Cup later this year, and Siddons wanted to see a tangible improvement.“I just think we need to develop more skills, hit the ball hard, score more boundaries without being reckless,” he told reporters here.This will be Siddons’ first stint with a women’s team, having had a long record of coaching men’s cricket sides, including Bangladesh from 2007-11.His sole international appearance for Australia came in 1988 in an ODI against Pakistan. Siddons said he was aware that Sri Lanka had fared poorly in the last two women’s World Cups, winning a single match.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images
                            

                            Siddons said he was aware that Sri Lanka had fared poorly in the last two women’s World Cups, winning a single match.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images
                                                    Siddons said his first task would be to guide the tea during its tour to Bangladesh starting on April 20. “That is where we will look to set our style of play”, he said referring to the three-match T20 and ODI series.Siddons said he was aware that Sri Lanka had fared poorly in the last two women’s World Cups, winning a single match.“That is where we need to see how we can perform better,” Siddons said.He said currently India, Australia, New Zealand and England are the top teams and Sri Lanka was looking forward to doing well against England in the opening match of the World Cup in June.“We are focusing on the first game against England, on their home ground and home soil,” Siddons said.Siddons took over from Ramesh Ratnayake, who led the women’s team to victory in the 2024 Asia Cup final beating India.Published on Apr 07, 2026  #Sri #Lanka #coach #Siddons #set #style #play #Bangladesh #tour

Deadspin | Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama (shoulder) won’t return vs. 76ers  Apr 6, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) grabs his left shoulder during the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images   San Antonio Spurs star center Victor Wembanyama will not play in the second half of Monday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers after suffering a left rib contusion during a first-half collision with the 76ers’ Paul George.  Wembanyama went to the Spurs’ locker room twice in the second quarter after the collision but finished the half on the court. He scored 17 points, took five rebounds and had three blocked shots in more than 16 minutes of court time, which counts as an official game for the purpose of postseason award consideration.  Wembanyama, 22, is in the mix for Most Valuable Player in his third year in the NBA. He entered the game averaging 24.9 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists and a league-high 3.1 blocks per game.   Monday was Wembanyama’s 63rd game of the season. Players must appear in 65 games to qualify for postseason awards. The Spurs have three games remaining after Monday.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Spurs #Victor #Wembanyama #shoulder #wont #return #76ersApr 6, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) grabs his left shoulder during the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

San Antonio Spurs star center Victor Wembanyama will not play in the second half of Monday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers after suffering a left rib contusion during a first-half collision with the 76ers’ Paul George.

Wembanyama went to the Spurs’ locker room twice in the second quarter after the collision but finished the half on the court. He scored 17 points, took five rebounds and had three blocked shots in more than 16 minutes of court time, which counts as an official game for the purpose of postseason award consideration.


Wembanyama, 22, is in the mix for Most Valuable Player in his third year in the NBA. He entered the game averaging 24.9 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists and a league-high 3.1 blocks per game.

Monday was Wembanyama’s 63rd game of the season. Players must appear in 65 games to qualify for postseason awards. The Spurs have three games remaining after Monday.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Spurs #Victor #Wembanyama #shoulder #wont #return #76ers">Deadspin | Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama (shoulder) won’t return vs. 76ers  Apr 6, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) grabs his left shoulder during the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images   San Antonio Spurs star center Victor Wembanyama will not play in the second half of Monday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers after suffering a left rib contusion during a first-half collision with the 76ers’ Paul George.  Wembanyama went to the Spurs’ locker room twice in the second quarter after the collision but finished the half on the court. He scored 17 points, took five rebounds and had three blocked shots in more than 16 minutes of court time, which counts as an official game for the purpose of postseason award consideration.  Wembanyama, 22, is in the mix for Most Valuable Player in his third year in the NBA. He entered the game averaging 24.9 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists and a league-high 3.1 blocks per game.   Monday was Wembanyama’s 63rd game of the season. Players must appear in 65 games to qualify for postseason awards. The Spurs have three games remaining after Monday.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Spurs #Victor #Wembanyama #shoulder #wont #return #76ers

Post Comment