Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane said the call to play Varun Chakaravarthy despite a toe fracture was made easier after medical assurances that the issue would not worsen.

"See, our team's physios and the physios of BCCI NCA and the Indian team, there was a discussion among them. I don't get involved in that at all. That's their department. My department is how's the player's mindset, does the player want to play or not, how big is the risk," Rahane said after KKR's last league match, which they lost to Delhi Capitals.

“Yes, it's important to consider the health factor, to stay fit. Your injuries shouldn't increase. Yes, we think about that. But the physios felt that his injuries won't increase.”

Varun had broken his left toe on May 3 in Hyderabad, when a straight hit from Ishan Kishan struck his boot. It was the third fracture he sustained in IPL 2026, adding to two finger fractures earlier in the season.

There were some murmurs around playing Varun through injury, given his central contract and importance to India's white-ball plans, but Rahane said the bowler's own willingness to play was the key factor.

"Varun was eager to play and he gets all the credit," Rahane said. "Because in that injury, you show how important the team is for you. Varun was completely ready. Yes, there was a match [vs RCB] where we had to give him a break because he was in a lot of pain. But he thought that he can play. That communication came from him.

"When the player says that he can play, there's a positive message to the physios and the team that he wants to play. I want to give Varun all the credit. He showed his eagerness to play. And the injury risk management team, the physios felt that his injuries won't increase."

'I am never one to back down'

On the pressure around his own position during the six-match winless stretch earlier in the season, Rahane said stepping down "never came" to his mind.

The KKR skipper finished with 335 runs in 14 games at a strike-rate of 135, with his two half-centuries coming in the first and last matches of the season. His strike-rate outside the Powerplay was also among the lowest this season, underlining the scrutiny around his returns.

"For me, I've played cricket all my life with a good attitude," Rahane said. "Character has always been very important for me. I'm never one to back down. When the team is down, when the team is struggling, it's very important to show your character at that time.

"Yes, there's pressure. It's very natural but the pressure is on those who are privileged. Not everyone can handle the pressure. For me, it was important to stay strong and not panic. It's very easy when you lose 5-6 matches, your focus shifts to the past and the future. It's important that you stay in that moment. Things can turn around any time. We've seen in a lot of matches and series how things change. It's very important to maintain that attitude and character.

"Like I said, I'm never one to back down. Those thoughts never came to me."