Yuzvendra Chahal Shreyas Iyer for Punjab Kings in IPL 2026. Image Credits: AP
Punjab Kings' defeat at the hands of Delhi Capitals on Monday night in Dharamsala marked only the first time in Yuzvendra Chahal’s illustrious IPL career that he did not bowl a single delivery, despite the team finishing the 20 overs.
Previously, on all three occasions when he did not get to bowl in the IPL, the match was abandoned due to rain. Considering Yuzvendra Chahal's credentials as the league’s leading wicket-taker, many eyebrows were raised at Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy and the PBKS spin-bowling coach, Sairaj Bahutule, had to come out and speak on the situation.
Why did Yuzvendra Chahal not bowl vs DC?
Notably, the PBKS vs DC fixture in Dharamsala was only the second time that all 40 overs of the match were bowled, and neither team used a spinner. Even captain Axar Patel ended the day without any overs, while senior pro Kuldeep Yadav was also left out of the playing 12.
Addressing the situation around Yuzvendra Chahal's use after the match, former India leg-spinner Sairaj Bahutule, who has close to 850 domestic scalps, backed captain Shreyas Iyer’s decision to avoid bowling Yuzvendra Chahal on the night. He felt the seaming conditions called for the use of fast bowlers.
“Definitely, there was a thought [of bowling Yuzvendra Chahal] during the time-out, but I think the ball was seaming and the conditions were suitable for the fast bowlers. So I think the decision was very spontaneous to continue with the fast bowlers and see how we can get those wickets, which we did early on. But I think one partnership just took it away from us,” he said.
Also Read: Revealed- How Much Was Axar Patel Fined After PBKS vs DC Match?
DC overpower PBKS comprehensively
Having been put in to bat first on their second home, the Punjab Kings got off to a flier, with a 78-run opening partnership between Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh in 6.5 overs. Arya scored 56 off 33, backed up by 59 off 36 for captain Shreyas Iyer, as they piled on 210/5 on the night. Suryansh Shedge took down Mitchell Starc and ended with 21* off 8 balls.
On a bowler-friendly track, where the likes of Auqib Nabi and Mukesh Kumar bowled well, the PBKS attack, led by Arshdeep Singh, was also on top, reducing DC at 33/3 and 74/4 early on in the innings. Use of Chahal did not look necessary with the help the fast bowlers got.
However, Axar Patel’s 56 off 30 and David Miller’s 51 off 28 shifted the momentum towards the visitors, and cameos in the lower-middle order made sure the team crossed the finish line.
PBKS’ season in jeopardy
Following the first half of the season, where the Punjab Kings remained unbeaten in 7 matches, they held an early advantage to finish in the top-2 of the points table to play Qualifier 1. However, since the first 7 matches, things have gone south for the IPL 2025 runner-ups, failing to pick up any further points.
Now, having played 11 matches, they are 4th on the points table with still 13 points to their name and finishing top-2 has become a secondary target. They need two wins in three games to secure a spot in the playoffs.
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