KKR spinner Varun Chakaravarthy has found himself in disciplinary trouble after breaching the IPL Code of Conduct during a high-stakes match against CSK at Eden Gardens on Wednesday. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has fined Chakaravarthy 25% of his match fees and handed him one demerit point for his conduct, which stemmed from a heated send-off directed at CSK batter Dewald Brevis.
The incident occurred during a crucial moment in the game when Chakaravarthy dismissed Brevis, who had launched a blistering counterattack to pull CSK out of early trouble. Following the dismissal, the spinner gave Brevis an aggressive and animated send-off, which the match officials deemed unsportsmanlike and in breach of Article 2.5 of the IPL Code of Conduct. This article pertains to the use of language, actions, or gestures that could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon their dismissal.
Chakaravarthy admitted to the Level 1 offence and accepted the match referee’s decision, which, under IPL rules, is final and binding for such breaches.
In an official release, the IPL confirmed: “Varun Chakaravarthy, Bowler, Kolkata Knight Riders, has been fined 25 percent of his match fees and has also accumulated one demerit point for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct during his team’s match against Chennai Super Kings at Eden Gardens. Chakaravarthy admitted to the Level 1 offence under Article 2.5 and accepted the match referee’s sanction.”
Brevis Heroics in Vain as CSK Clinch Thriller
The incident was just one of many dramatic moments in what turned out to be a pulsating contest. KKR, batting first, put up a fighting total of 179/6 on the board. Despite a brisk start, the innings lost momentum due to a masterful bowling spell from CSK spinner Noor Ahmad, who claimed 4 wickets for 31 runs, applying the brakes during the middle overs.
KKR’s power hitters Andre Russell (38 off 21) and Sunil Narine (26 off 17) tried to boost the total with some aggressive stroke play in the death overs. However, the disciplined CSK spin trio, who shared five wickets for just 84 runs, ensured KKR couldn’t capitalize fully on their strong foundation.
In response, CSK stumbled to 60/5, facing intense pressure from KKR’s pace and spin attack. However, Dewald Brevis turned the game on its head with an audacious 25-ball 52, which included a stunning 30-run over off Vaibhav Arora. His explosive innings shifted the momentum back in CSK’s favor, only to be halted by Chakaravarthy – a wicket that led to the controversial send-off.
Debutant Urvil Shines, Dhoni Seals the Deal
Adding to KKR’s woes was the sensational debut of Urvil Patel, who smashed 31 off just 11 balls, injecting much-needed energy into CSK’s chase. With the match hanging in the balance, it was veteran finisher MS Dhoni who once again rose to the occasion. Calm under pressure, Dhoni remained unbeaten on 17, finishing the match with a signature six and a single that sent the Eden Gardens crowd into a frenzy.
Playoff Hopes Fade for KKR
This loss has dealt a major blow to KKR’s playoff hopes. With only a few league matches remaining, the team finds itself on the brink of elimination, needing not only wins in all remaining fixtures but also favorable results from other games. The Chakaravarthy incident adds further concern, as disciplinary issues can disrupt team morale at such a critical stage of the tournament.
Meanwhile, CSK have strengthened their position on the points table, showcasing depth in their lineup and the ability to perform under pressure. With young talents like Brevis and Urvil stepping up, along with Dhoni’s enduring presence, CSK looks primed for a strong finish to the league stage.
