Chakravarthy overcomes surface tension to end Kolkata’s losing streak

NEW DELHI: Varun Chakravarthy’s return to form helped Kolkata Knight Riders snap their winless streak on Sunday, but ​the 34-year-old said he and his fellow spinners are struggling ‌to make an impact due to the Indian Premier League’s batting-friendly tracks.

Chakravarthy was the joint highest wicket-taker at the Twenty20 World Cup, which India won earlier ​this year, and was expected to play a key ​role in Kolkata’s pursuit of a fourth IPL title.

However, the ⁠leg-spinner began his campaign with three wicketless outings before claiming ​2-34 in a loss to Gujarat Titans on Friday.

On Sunday, it was ​a more familiar sight at Eden Gardens as Chakravarthy tormented batters on a slow track to claim 3-14 and set up Kolkata’s four-wicket victory against Rajasthan ​Royals, their first win in seven matches.

Chakravarthy, who was named Player ​of the Match, said it would be difficult to consistently reproduce those kind ‌of ⁠numbers due to the conditions.

“Just because I’ve taken three wickets today, I don’t want to make a sweeping statement,” he told reporters.

“My strength is to keep attacking the stumps. But if there is nothing ​in the pitch, ​that’s when bowlers ⁠start searching, they start getting confused, they are clueless, which happens to everyone.

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“It has happened to ​the best of the best.”

Chakravarthy, who is in his ​seventh season ⁠with Kolkata, said there were “many tears” in the dugout after they finally ended their barren run.

“One win here, one win there we will ⁠be ​back on track,” he said.

Kolkata are ninth ​in the 10-team league, one point ahead of bottom-placed Mumbai Indians, who have played two ​fewer games.