Are IPL franchises now bigger than BCCI? Varun Chakaravarthy injury row exposes ugly reality

The BCCI dictates terms to world cricket on the one hand. However, when it comes to their own league, it cannot even stop an injured Indian player from limping through four overs in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

That is the uncomfortable truth staring Indian cricket in the face after Varun Chakaravarthy bowled for the Kolkata Knight Riders against the Gujarat Titans despite carrying a reported hairline fracture in his left foot. Although the BCCI is miffed with KKR but they can’t do anything about it.

Chakaravarthy played through fracture; BCCI can’t do anything

Varun was visibly struggling in his run-up, repeatedly hobbling after his delivery stride, yet he completed his spell because KKR desperately needed a win to stay alive in the playoff race. And now come BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia’s comments, which almost confirmed what many already suspected that during the IPL, franchises largely run the show.

“So far as IPL is concerned, franchises take care of the injuries and fitness of the players. Of course, physios from COE are also monitoring them, workload as well as planning on how to keep them fit,” Saikia said to PTI. But the line that stood out was this: “The monitoring is there, but when IPL is going on, we can’t interfere too much. Had it been an Indian team situation, our control would have been more.“

So, the BCCI secretary has admitted that the board can’t interfere too much. That’s a worrisome take. It is simple because the IPL is nothing but a business. Investors spend money so that their teams win and they get their money back with huge success and returns. Amidst this, players are asked to play even if they are not at their 100 per cent.

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Chakaravarthy’s injury timeline

What makes the situation more worrying is that this is not the first time Varun has played through pain this season.

Varun Chakaravarthy’s injury struggles in IPL 2026

Earlier in the season, Varun himself revealed he had bowled through two fractures in his left hand during KKR’s win over the Rajasthan Royals. He still delivered a match-winning spell of 3/14. Against the Gujarat Titans, however, things looked different. He appeared uncomfortable throughout his run-up and lacked rhythm entirely. Yet KKR persisted with him because of the importance of the fixture.

From Varun to Bumrah, India stars are being pushed through fitness struggles

Varun’s case isn’t the only one. It is becoming a pattern. Jasprit Bumrah has looked nowhere near his usual self this IPL season. The sharpness has dipped, the pace bursts have reduced, and his body language has often been questionable. Yet, the Mumbai Indians kept playing him through the season despite being out of the playoff race early.

India stars carrying fitness concerns in IPL 2026

India are heading into a packed international schedule. After a home series to Afghanistan, tours of Ireland and England are coming up almost immediately after the IPL. Yet, there seems to be no real mechanism to pull the plug when franchises decide to push players through injuries. Notably, all the aforementioned players are coming after an entire T20 World Cup, a tournament that takes a lot out of you. The other day, Arshdeep Singh was in the news due to his injury-related concerns.

Saikia’s statement effectively confirmed that the BCCI’s medical staff can monitor, advise and observe, but not necessarily overrule what IPL franchises want.

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