Delhi: Veteran leg -spinner Yuzvendra Chahal of Punjab Kings (PBKS) had to sit out in the last 3 matches due to his wrist injury. He was not fully fit, so stayed out of the field and remained part of the team. Now the news is that Chahal has started bowling on the nets and he is ready to play. Chahal can be included in the final XI against Mumbai Indians (Mi) in Qualifier 2 to be held at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on 1 June.
It is believed that captain Shreyas Iyer can put him as impact player so that the pressure on him is less. At the same time, coach Ricky Ponting can send him for bowling before the middle overs so that he can pressurize the opposition team.
Mushir Khan’s holiday fixed
With the return of Chahal, a change in the team combination is certain. In such a situation, young player Mushir Khan may have to sit outside. In the last match, Mushir got a chance to debut as an impact player, when the team lost six wickets within 9 overs. However, he could not contribute with the bat and was out without scoring three balls. In bowling, he bowled 2 overs, conceded 27 runs and took the wicket of Mayank Agarwal. But the experience will be given priority in a big match like playoffs, and with the return of Chahal, Mushir is in danger.
Great figures against Mumbai Indians
Chahal’s record has been excellent against Mumbai Indians. He has played 20 matches against Mi so far and has taken 29 wickets. His average is close to 21.24 and the economy rate is close to 8 runs per over, which is considered impressive for an experienced bowler in T20. This is the reason why Punjab has great expectations from them in this important match.
Strong return after slow start in IPL 2025
Chahal’s performance at the beginning of this season was nothing special, but later he achieved his rhythm. He took 4 wickets for 28 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and played a big role in defending Punjab the lowest score in IPL history. So far, he has taken 14 wickets in 11 matches in IPL 2025. Their average was 25.28 and economy rate is 9.56.
Playoff experience
Yuzvendra Chahal has a good experience of playoff matches. In 2015, he took two wickets for 20 runs against Rajasthan Royals (RR). The same year he also took 2 wickets against Chennai Super Kings, but RCB had to face defeat. In the 2016 final, he took 1 wicket for 35 runs against SRH. He took 1 wicket in the eliminator against SRH in 2020 but lost the team. In 2021, he took 2 wickets while bowling brilliantly against KKR, yet RCB lost.
In 2022, he could not take any wickets in qualifiers against Gujarat and then RCB. Although he took one wicket for 20 runs in the final, the team could not win. In 2024, he took the wicket of Virat Kohli against RCB, but also looted 43 runs. In the qualifier 2 against SRH, he could not take wickets again and conceded 34 runs.
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