Yuzvendra Chahal Overcomes Shoulder Injury to Lead Punjab Kings to Stunning Victory Over Kolkata Knight Riders
In a breathtaking display of grit and skill, Yuzvendra Chahal turned the tide for Punjab Kings (PBKS) against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in a low-scoring thriller at Mullanpur. Despite nursing a shoulder injury, Chahal’s magical spell of 4 for 28 dismantled KKR’s batting lineup, helping PBKS defend a modest total of 111 to clinch a memorable 16-run victory in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
KKR seemed to be in control during their chase, with their top order finding rhythm early on. However, Chahal, introduced into the attack in the eighth over by PBKS stand-in captain Shreyas Iyer, changed the game’s complexion in a matter of minutes. The veteran leg-spinner struck gold in his very first over, trapping Ajinkya Rahane leg-before-wicket. Rahane, opting not to review the decision, walked back to the pavilion, only for replays to later reveal the impact was outside off-stump—a missed opportunity that haunted KKR.
Reflecting on the dismissal, Rahane took responsibility during the post-match presentation, stating, ‘I will take the blame as a senior player. I played the wrong shot; it was missing, but I didn’t opt for the review. Angkrish Raghuvanshi wasn’t sure, and I wasn’t confident either. That was the discussion.’
Chahal, undeterred by his injury, continued his rampage in the following over, dismissing the well-set Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who had been anchoring KKR’s chase. His third over was nothing short of sensational as he claimed two wickets in two balls, removing Rinku Singh and Ramandeep Singh to put PBKS firmly in the driver’s seat. Chahal was on the cusp of a hat-trick, a feat that would have further cemented his legacy as one of IPL’s finest spinners.
PBKS coach Ricky Ponting couldn’t hide his admiration for Chahal’s determination. ‘What about Chahal? Simply outstanding. He had a fitness test before this game after picking up a shoulder injury in the previous match. I had a chat with him, and he assured me, Coach, I am absolutely fine,’ Ponting revealed post-match.
However, Chahal’s dream spell was slightly marred in his final over when KKR’s explosive all-rounder Andre Russell launched a counterattack, smashing two sixes and a boundary. Despite the late onslaught, Chahal’s figures of 4/28 stood as a testament to his match-defining contribution.
Earlier in the day, PBKS had a disastrous outing with the bat, crumbling to a paltry 111 in just 15.3 overs. A promising start by openers Priyansh Arya (22) and Prabhsimran Singh (30), who added 39 runs in 3.1 overs, was undone by a dramatic collapse triggered by the early dismissal of stand-in skipper Shreyas Iyer for a duck. KKR’s bowling attack was relentless, with Harshit Rana leading the charge with figures of 3/25, supported by spinners Varun Chakravarthy (2/21) and Sunil Narine (2/14).
This victory marks one of the most remarkable turnarounds in IPL history, as defending such a low total is a rare feat in the high-scoring T20 format. Chahal’s heroics not only earned him the Player of the Match award but also highlighted his importance to PBKS, especially under challenging physical conditions. With this win, PBKS keeps their playoff hopes alive, while KKR will need to regroup quickly to bounce back from this unexpected setback.
As the IPL season progresses, all eyes will be on Chahal’s fitness and whether he can continue to weave his magic on the field. For now, Punjab Kings fans can revel in a victory that will be remembered as one of the greatest heists in IPL history.