IPL 2025: PBKS’ assistant coach confirms injury blow to Yuzvendra Chahal before playoffs

Sunil Joshi, Punjab Kings’ assistant coach, recently stated that Yuzvendra Chahal missed the team’s game against the Delhi Capitals due to a minor injury. The game against DC on May 24 was Chahal’s first missing match for his team in the current Indian Premier League season.

Joshi claimed that the 34-year-old leg-spinner was rested owing to a “small niggle”.

“Chahal has a minor niggle, so we’re just resting him. That’s the idea,” Joshi explained during the post-match press conference, without going into detail about the injury, as reported by India Today.

Praveen Dubey was given his first start for PBKS this season in place of Yuzvendra Chahal.

As the Impact Player, Dubey only bowled a few overs. He allowed 20 runs while taking the wicket of Sediqullah Atal. The absence of Chahal was noticeable, however. PBKS lost the game by six wickets, with three deliveries remaining.

In terms of Chahal’s performance in the competition thus far, the 34-year-old has 14 wickets in 11 innings while allowing 9.56 runs per over. His standout performance was a four-wicket haul against the Chennai Super Kings on April 30. The four wickets comprised a hat-trick. Notably, this was his second hat-trick in IPL history.