Punjab Kings leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal had picked up only two wickets in the first five matches of IPL 2025 and conceded 56 runs in his four-over quota in the last game against Sunrisers Hyderabad when PBKS could not defend a target of 246.
On Tuesday, while playing at their home den of New Chandigarh, the Punjab bowlers had only 111 runs in the bank but they were able to bundle out KKR for 95 to register a famous 16-run win. Chahal, who was able to pass his fitness test before the game, returned with impressive figures of 4-28 in the four overs he bowled.
The leg-spinner plumbed Ajinkya Rahane in front of the wickets and also accounted for Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Rinku Singh, and Ramandeep Singh. The veteran spinner said he was confident about making a solid comeback after a dull start to the tournament.
Chahal said after bagging the Player of the Match award, “It is a team effort. We wanted to be positive and we felt if we get 2-3 wickets in the powerplay then it will be good. We saw their spinners turn it and it helped us. When I bowled the first ball, it turned, Shreyas asked me if I wanted a slip, we wanted to be attacking as we had less runs and the only way we could win was by taking wickets.”
He added, “In the last game I conceded 56 for 4 overs, but I had full confidence and backed myself and my abilities. I always have the mindset of how to get the batters out, I varied my pace and if they have to hit, they will have to make an effort. When you win such a game, the team’s morale will be high. It’s my first man of the match for Punjab, I’m confident if I keep backing my skills and believe in myself, then I will get success.”
Punjab Kings will next take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Friday.
