Yuzvendra Chahal on Wednesday picked up his second Indian Premier League hat-trick as his four-fer played a crucial role in Punjab Kings' (PBKS) win over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) which eliminated the five-time champions from IPL 2025. (As It Happened | Scorecard | Full Coverage)
The leg-spinner took four wickets in the 19th over which included the wickets of MS Dhoni and then Deepak Hooda, Anshul Kamboj and Noor Ahmad on consecutive deliveries. From 182-5 in 18.1 overs, CSK were bowled out for 190 in 19.2 overs thanks to Chahal's striking prowess.
While at that point, the wickets taken by Chahal just looked like tailenders getting out, it actually had a big impact in the game as PBKS chased down the target with two balls to spare. Had CSK gone beyond 200, PBKS would have had to work harder.
Chahal had a game to remember but the tournament has been a bit tough for the leg-spinner.
He had a dreadful start to IPL 2025. The most successful bowler in the history of the tournament was being hit around the park and could also not pick wickets. In first five games that PBKS played, Chahal got only two wickets at an average of 83.50 and an economy rate of over 11. Captain Shreyas Iyer could not trust his most potent weapon to bowl his full quota on most occasions.
Then came the historic night in Mullanpur when PBKS were bowled out for 111 and Kolkata Knight Riders looked set for a big win before Chahal showed that he had not become the highest-wicket taker just by luck. The leggie showed total mastery over his lengths, drift and dip to account for four KKR batters and help PBKS defend the lowest ever IPL total.
Since then, Chahal has started bowling a little slower and that is doing wonders for him. From that KKR game, he has now struck 11 times at an average of 9.72 and an economy of 7.64. Out of nowhere, Chahal has jumped the queue and now stands on the cusp of breaking into the top five wicket-takers of the season.
When PBKS bought him at the auction for Rs 18 crore, there were question marks over what Chahal would bring to the table as no spinner ever had gone for this much money in the auction. The poor start and the personal issues only added pressure on the leggie. But he has silenced his critics with a tremendous comeback.
The show is still not over though. Chahal knows he needs to keep doing the good work if he has to have a chance at making an India comeback. His IPL franchise too needs him at his finest. PBKS are second in the table with 13 points in 10 games and are looking to make the play-offs for the first time since 2014. If Chahal maintains his new found form, there is not much that can stop the Shreyas Iyer-led side from finishing in the top four.
