Chahal Takes Flight After Slow IPL 2025 Start To Fuel PBKS Charge To Play-Offs

Yuzvendra Chahal's resurgence in the 2025 IPL season has been instrumental in propelling the Punjab Kings (PBKS) toward playoff contention. After a subdued start, Chahal delivered a historic performance against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), claiming the first hat-trick of the season and becoming the first bowler to achieve this feat against CSK in IPL history

In the 19th over of CSK's innings, Chahal took four wickets in five balls, including the dismissals of MS Dhoni, Deepak Hooda, Anshul Kamboj, and Noor Ahmad, effectively dismantling CSK's batting lineup and restricting them to 190 runs . This remarkable over not only marked his second IPL hat-trick but also made him the bowler with the most four-wicket hauls in IPL history, totaling nine

Chahal's performance was pivotal in PBKS's four-wicket victory over CSK, a win that eliminated the five-time champions from playoff contention and kept PBKS's hopes alive . His recent form has also propelled him into the top contenders for the Purple Cap, with a tally of 13 wickets placing him joint-sixth among the league's leading wicket-takers

This turnaround comes after Chahal's initial struggles in the season, where he was more expensive than in previous years. Analysts suggest that his adaptation, including adjusting his bowling pace, has been key to his recent success . His resurgence has been a significant factor in PBKS's mid-season revival and their ongoing push for a playoff spot

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