Friday 18 / April / 2025
Mullanpur: Punjab Kings' (PBKS) leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal once again proved why he remains one of the most impactful bowlers in the Indian Premier League (IPL), delivering a match-winning performance as PBKS pulled off a stunning 16-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Defending 111 runs, the lowest total ever successfully defended in IPL history, Punjab bowled out KKR for 95, thanks largely to Chahal's magical spell of 4/28 in four overs.
Awarded the Player of the Match, Chahal credited the entire team for the effort but highlighted the importance of staying positive despite the low score on the board.
"I think it was a team effort. We wanted to stay positive, take 2-3 wickets in the powerplay. The pitch wasn't easy. There was turn in the pitch as well," Chahal said after the game, as quoted from ESPNcricinfo.
"My first ball turned, so Shreyas [Iyer] said, 'Let's have a slip'. We needed to take wickets to win this game because the runs were low," he added.
The veteran spinner, who has built his career on outsmarting batters, learnt on his experience and tactical acumen once again.
"I always had self-belief in myself. I always think about how to get the batters out," he explained.
"I varied my pace so that the batters had to put effort into hitting," he added.
His clever changes in pace and angles kept the batters guessing on a pitch that offered assistance to spinners throughout.
The spell not only sealed the win for Punjab Kings but also showcased Chahal's mastery of his craft under pressure. In a game where every run mattered and the margin for error was razor-thin, it was his guile and belief that stood out.
