Kolkata Knight Riders spinner Varun Chakaravarthy expressed his enthusiasm in anticipation of his teammate Sunil Narine's performance in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. "Whatever he does, I just look at that and try to imbibe that," Chakaravarthy stated. He further praised Narine, noting that he appears well-prepared and ready to compete in the league again, just as he did last year.
As the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) began their IPL 2025 campaign against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Eden Gardens on March 22, 2025. Chakaravarthy, who recently shone in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 by taking nine wickets in three matches, is set to take on star batter Virat Kohli in the opening match.
"Confidence is very important, but as in every new tournament, even if you win the last tournament, you have to start from scratch," Chakaravarthy said during a pre-match press conference held on March 21. He emphasized that each match presents a unique challenge and the IPL is like no other competition. With the added pressure of being the defending champions, KKR players are adopting a fresh mindset for the new season.
In practice sessions leading up to the match, Chakaravarthy was seen working on his variations, honing new deliveries that he may implement during the competition. "Whenever I play domestic cricket, I try to work on a new delivery," he revealed, maintaining secrecy about the specifics of what fans can expect this season. This strategy aims to keep opponents guessing, especially with the mindful observation of technological advances in gameplay analytics.
Chakaravarthy explained his approach to counteract technological scrutiny, stating, "The ball can deviate only in three ways – it can go left, right, or straight. It just depends on how I'm going to choose the sequencing, if I'm going to go off-spin right now or leg-spin right now. That's where the tactical side of the game comes in, and that's where I'm trying to improve." This tactical mindset, he believes, is crucial in facing formidable opponents such as Kohli.
With a new coaching staff on board, Chakaravarthy expressed optimism about the upcoming season, saying, "Based on the conversations I've had with the new staff, it's been absolutely fantastic. We are all raring to go." His excitement to bowl against Kohli, who has performed well against him in the past, is palpable. "Definitely excited to be coming up against Virat. Obviously, he's batted well against me, and I would like to do well against him also," he stated.
As KKR gears up for the match, there’s a sense of unity and focus within the team. Chakaravarthy pointed out, "If you saw, we had the biggest victory and the biggest loss. This shows that every match is different. As experts say, you have to take it as a new tournament and start from scratch." He underscored the importance of maintaining consistency in player performance, especially highlighting the need to finalize the best playing XI early in the tournament.
Reflecting on team dynamics, Chakaravarthy noted the addition of several international stars to the squad, including Quinton de Kock, Anrich Nortje, Spencer Johnson, Moeen Ali, and Rovman Powell. He shared his thoughts on their potential impact, stating, "We will look to defend the title this year. We have a great squad with great batters and top bowlers. This international core will be important." Such changes are expected to strengthen the KKR lineup as they aim for a successful title defense.
The clash between KKR and RCB on the opening day of IPL 2025 promises to be an exciting spectacle, with both teams displaying formidable lineups. Fans can expect a thrilling contest at Eden Gardens, setting the tone for another intense IPL season. Chakaravarthy’s readiness and tactical awareness will undoubtedly play a crucial role in KKR's performance as they embark on this competitive journey. Whether his preparations pay off against heavyweights like Kohli will be closely scrutinized by fans and analysts alike.
