Varun-Nagarkoti

Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL

The second phase of IPL 2021 is a month away from now. While all teams are already busy finalising their plans, there is still some doubt over the availability of certain players. Nevertheless, the tournament will resume on September 19 with all the fixtures to happen in the United Arab Emirates. Among other franchises, Kolkata Knight Riders might have a serious task ahead of them as they had a horror campaign earlier this year.

With just two wins from their seven matches in the first half, the two-time champions find themselves at the seventh position of the eight-team table. They cannot afford to lose too many more matches and should find the winning momentum as soon as the competition resumes. And now their hopes have been hit by another unpleasant news.

It is being learned that spinner Varun Chakravarthy and fast bowler Kamlesh Nagarkoti are yet to receive a green signal to fly to the Middle East from National Cricket Academy (NCA). The two are known to be injury-prone and will now have to clear the mandatory fitness requirements before they can play the remaining fixtures of IPL 2021.

Chakravarthy and Nagarkoti waiting for NCA fit certificate, Gill has recovered from shin pain: Sources

"Yes, Chakravarthy and Nagarkoti are here at the NCA doing their rehab cum fitness routines. I guess once NCA gives them the fit certificate, they will be flying with the rest of the KKR team to the UAE. (Shubman) Gill is still training here," Insidesport quoted a source as saying.

Meanwhile, KKR also received good news with opener Shubman Gill said to have recovered from his injury which ruled him out of the Test series against England. It is also being reported that he will fly his teammates to the UAE and would regain match-fitness from the first match itself.

"Gill is in the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and has recovered from his shin pain. He will be departing for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) soon for the IPL. He has been at the NCA for a week now," Insidesport Sport quoted another source.

KKR will resume their IPL 2021 campaign against Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on September 20 in Abu Dhabi.