Shane Watson

Kolkata Knight Riders' assistant coach Shane Watson lauded spinner Varun Chakravarthy's immense bravery and dedication, revealing he's been playing through significant pain due to a reported hairline fracture. Despite discomfort, Chakravarthy's commitment has been crucial in KKR's playoff push, with Watson highlighting his continued effective bowling and desire to contribute to the team's success.

Rachin Ravindra returns home from IPL early. He feels ready for New Zealand's Test matches in Ireland and England. Ravindra gained valuable insights from top players like Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli. He believes these conversations and training sessions have prepared him for challenging conditions. The experience has boosted his confidence for the upcoming red-ball assignments.

Kolkata Knight Riders secured a crucial win against Mumbai Indians, but their victory was overshadowed by a worrying injury to star batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi. Colliding with a teammate while attempting a catch, Raghuvanshi suffered neck pain, dizziness, and headaches, forcing him out of the match. The franchise is concerned about the impact on their playoff push.

Ravichandran Ashwin believes Chennai Super Kings must invest in quality cricketers and a balanced squad for future IPL seasons. He stated the franchise can no longer rely on past strategies, emphasizing the need for experienced bowlers and spinners. Ashwin also questioned if the current CSK squad is suited for Chepauk's batting conditions, suggesting a more patient approach is required.

As IPL 2026 playoffs loom, Suresh Raina leads all-time playoff run charts with 714 runs. MS Dhoni and Shubman Gill follow closely. Dwayne Bravo tops wicket-takers with 28 scalps. Shubman Gill also holds the record for the highest individual playoff score. These records highlight playoff legends ahead of crucial matches.

Kolkata Knight Riders assistant coach Shane Watson hopes Virat Kohli makes an early aggressive mistake against them in their crucial IPL 2026 clash. Despite Kohli's strong season, he's had back-to-back ducks, a rare dip KKR aims to exploit. Watson acknowledged Kohli's brilliance but expressed a wish for a rare misstep to gain an advantage.

The IPL playoff race has reached its decisive stretch. With roughly a dozen league fixtures remaining, eight teams are still in contention for the four playoff spots. No team can afford to relax just yet. This will not be lost on either Royal Challengers Bengaluru or Kolkata Knight Riders when they face off in Raipur on Wednesday.

With only 11 days remaining in the IPL 2026 league stage, the playoff race is wide open. Kolkata Knight Riders have staged a remarkable comeback, winning four consecutive matches. They now sit eighth with nine points and a game in hand. KKR must win all their remaining four fixtures to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Former India batter Mohammad Kaif believes spinner Varun Chakaravarthy's potential absence against RCB would be a significant boost for Bengaluru. Chakaravarthy's recent return to form has been crucial for KKR's winning streak, but an injury concern looms. Kaif highlighted Virat Kohli's comfort against faster spinners, suggesting his absence would benefit RCB.

Kolkata Knight Riders face a must-win IPL 2026 clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, with star spinner Varun Chakravarthy's fitness a major concern. Assistant coach Shane Watson expressed optimism about the team's recent form and potential playoff push, highlighting Angkrish Raghuvanshi's impressive skill development.

Finn Allen's career-defining maiden IPL century powered Kolkata Knight Riders to a dominant eight-wicket win over Delhi Capitals. Allen smashed an unbeaten 100 off 47 balls, reflecting on a mindset shift towards adaptability and responsibility after early season struggles. Time out of the XI helped reset his perspective, leading to this explosive turnaround.

Virat Kohli achieved a special milestone in IPL 2026, smashing five consecutive fours off Kagiso Rabada in a single over. This rare feat places him alongside Chris Gayle and Shane Watson in Royal Challengers Bengaluru history. Despite Rabada striking back later, Kohli's explosive start set a strong tone for RCB.

Yashasvi Jaiswal scored another half-century for Rajasthan Royals. He is now third in franchise history for 50-plus scores. This places him alongside Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson. Punjab Kings posted a large total. Rajasthan Royals chased but fell short. Jaiswal's consistent performance continues to impress.

Jofra Archer is on the cusp of becoming Rajasthan Royals' all-time leading wicket-taker, needing just three more wickets to surpass Shane Watson. Archer's potent pace and control, especially in the powerplay, have been crucial for the Royals this season. This milestone looms as RR faces an under-pressure Lucknow Super Giants at home.

Jofra Archer achieved a historic milestone for Rajasthan Royals. He became the franchise's leading IPL wicket-taker with a stellar bowling performance. Archer's spell secured a crucial victory for his team. Rajasthan bowlers defended a low total successfully. This win highlights the team's bowling strength. Archer's achievement marks his significant impact.

Rajasthan Royals batters have a peculiar knack for centuries on April 22, with Watson, Rahane, Buttler, and Jaiswal all achieving the feat. Today, against Lucknow Super Giants, all eyes are on Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi to see if this remarkable trend continues. Both teams are under pressure after recent losses, making this a crucial encounter.

Jofra Archer has made history for Rajasthan Royals, becoming their top wicket-taker. He joins an elite group of bowlers who have achieved significant milestones for their franchises. Sunil Narine is nearing a historic 200 wickets for Kolkata Knight Riders. Jasprit Bumrah also features prominently for Mumbai Indians. Yuzvendra Chahal and Bhuvneshwar Kumar lead the overall IPL wicket charts.