The limited use of leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal during Punjab Kings’ four-wicket defeat to Gujarat Titans in their IPL 2026 match in Ahmedabad on Sunday night surprised former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif.
Despite Chahal’s reputation as one of the most successful bowlers in IPL history, Kaif questioned PBKS’s choice to bowl him for just one over on X. In just one over, the seasoned leg-spinner conceded 13 runs.
He cited the leg-spinner’s 228 IPL wickets, many of which were taken during his lengthy tenure at the Chinnaswamy Stadium with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
“It surprises me to see a highest wicket taker of ipl history Yuzi Chahal bowl just one over against GT. Remember he has 228 ipl wickets in which 139 have come on the flat Chinnaswamy during his 8 years with RCB,” Kaif posted on X.
Kaif agreed that the team’s plan might have been impacted by the pitch conditions, pointing out that there was grass on the surface.
But he emphasized that even in challenging conditions, a bowler of Chahal’s caliber can adjust and find ways to take wickets. “Ok, the pitch had grass but Chahal is an IPL great he could have found ways to get wickets. Punjab needs to trust him more.”
