Yuzvendra Chahal is determined to give “150% for his team (Punjab Kings)” in IPL 2026, and revealed that he has quit alcohol while giving priority to his fitness after he suffered multiple injuries in the previous season.
“After the KKR (Kolkata Knight Riders) game, my hip got fractured and later in the tournament my knuckle got fractured,” Chahal told AB de Villiers on his YouTube channel AB de Villiers 360.
“So in the semifinal (Qualifiers) and final, I was not able to bowl my proper legspin and all. But this year I (wanted) to take care of my body first and I have one good news for you, I stopped alcohol. It’s been more than six months.
“Now, I’m 35, I want to be more active and give my 150% for my team. As a senior bowler and senior player, people will see me (and think) ‘this guy, we have to learn something from him.'”
Chahal featured in 14 matches for PBKS out of 17 and in the knockouts he was not able to give his best. The legspinner is keen to reunite with skipper shreyas Iyer and coach Ricky Ponting, who last year year played a key role in leading PBKS to the finals of IPL in 11 years.
“Ricky and Shreyas worked together during the IPL at DC (Delhi Capitals),” Chahal said. “So they have that bonding and I played with him (Ponting) when I was in Mumbai Indians. But when I met him, he was very clear about the players and the roles. That’s the best thing you want as a player. He is very easy to communicate (with) – you can go there, anytime you can message Ricky he was always available. Same with Shreyas. You don’t feel like he’s your captain – he’s your friend only.”
PBKS will start their IPL 2026 campaign against Gujarat Titans in Mullanpur on March 31.
