The IPL “Revenge Week” is in full swing, and the battle for the top four is getting sharper, even for sides that began the campaign looking almost unbeatable. Punjab Kings, who opened their season with a three-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans and then went on to set a remarkable benchmark with a seven-game unbeaten run, have since slipped into a tough stretch. After suffering back-to-back losses, their most recent defeat also came with a revenge twist, as Shubman Gill’s team struck back in style.
The showdown on Sunday night at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad turned into a gripping contest. A decisive moment arrived with Washington Sundar smashing a six off Marcus Stoinis on the second-last ball, lifting Punjab’s opponents to a four-wicket win against the table-toppers. Even though Punjab were defending a relatively manageable total of 164, Shreyas Iyer’s side kept the pressure on during the middle overs. Their bowlers looked to take advantage of patterns they had noticed from the Gujarat Titans attack during the first innings.
Still, as the chase progressed into the second innings, several bowling choices made on the field became a talking point. There was a growing sense that different options at key phases could have altered the outcome of Punjab’s defence, particularly given how close the contest turned.
Kaif questions Chahal’s role
Former India player and commentator Mohammad Kaif was among those left surprised by Yuzvendra Chahal’s limited involvement in the match. Chahal, widely regarded as one of the tournament’s most prolific wicket-takers—finishing IPL history with 228 wickets—was only introduced in the 14th over. Kaif questioned the timing, arguing that with his experience, he should have been used more prominently.
Kaif also highlighted where Chahal has been most effective, pointing out that a large share of his wickets came during his eight-year spell with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He referenced Chinnaswamy Stadium, a venue often seen as batter-friendly, where Chahal’s skills have repeatedly stood out. In this particular game, Chahal bowled just one over and conceded 13 runs.
“It surprises me to see the highest wicket taker of ipl history Yuzi Chahal bowl just one over against GT. Remember he has 228 ipl wickets in which 139 have come on the flat Chinnaswamy during his 8 years with RCB,” Kaif posted on his X.
Credentials and conditions
While Kaif questioned the usage, he also acknowledged that the surface and match conditions might have influenced the captain’s decision. He noted that pacers appeared to enjoy significant assistance in Ahmedabad that evening, something that is far less common on modern, batter-friendly tracks. Even so, he urged Punjab Kings to keep backing Chahal’s skill set and trust his ability to adapt to the situation.
“Ok, the pitch had grass, but Chahal is an IPL great he could have found ways to get wickets. Punjab needs to trust him more,” Kaif added.
Kaif’s comments carry additional weight given the investment Punjab Kings made for Chahal ahead of this IPL season. The franchise acquired him for INR 18 crore, banking on his experience, wicket-taking impact, and the balance he could bring to the squad. Punjab finished runners-up last season after losing to RCB in the 2025 final, and expectations were high for their squad to build on that momentum.
However, Chahal has had a slow start with his new franchise so far, picking up only seven wickets across nine matches. How quickly he settles into this phase of the season—and whether he earns a greater role as Punjab push towards their maiden title—remains a key storyline as the tournament moves into a crucial stretch.
