Punjab Kings (PBKS) head coach Ricky Ponting revealed that Yuzvendra Chahal was doubtful for the IPL 2025 clash against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) due to a shoulder injury. Ponting said that Chahal had undergone a fitness test before the game, adding that he was pivotal in Punjab Kings’ victory over KKR.
Punjab Kings pulled off a victory by defending the lowest total ever in the IPL’s history. After being bowled out for just 111 runs, the Shreyas Iyer-led team delivered a remarkable bowling performance. They secured the victory by 16 runs at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium on April 15.
I Grabbed Yuzvendra Chahal Out of the Warm-Up – Ricky Ponting
Yuzvendra Chahal played a crucial role in the victory by taking four wickets. Following the game, Ricky Ponting revealed that Chahal was battling a shoulder injury sustained in the previous fixture against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
“What about Chahal tonight? How good a spell of bowling was that! He actually had a fitness test before the game today with his shoulder injury he picked up in the last game, and I grabbed him out of the warm-up, looked him in the eye, and said, ‘Mate, are you okay?’ He said Coach I am 100 percent right, let me out there,” Ponting told the host broadcaster.
Yuzvendra Chahal had struggled with form earlier in the tournament, having taken only two wickets in his first five matches. Before the match against KKR, former Indian cricketers Wasim Jaffer and Piyush Chawla criticized him for his defensive approach and lack of wickets.
Don’t Need More Games Like These – Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting described the win as one of the most memorable moments of his IPL coaching career. Ponting admitted that most people doubted Punjab’s chances at the halfway mark but credited his players for their exceptional performance.
“The heart rate is still up there. I’m 50 years now and don’t need more game like these. Defending 112, with 16 runs up our sleeves. We actually said to the guys at the halfway mark that these really small chases , like these, are sometimes the hardest,” said Ponting.
“I reckon at the halfway mark there weren’t too many people around the world that thought that we could have defended it and we have, credit to all the boys. They were terrific tonight. Wins like these are always the sweetest one, and if you can pull this off, then you should be as good as win as most guys been involved in and I have coached a lot of games in the IPL and that might just be about the best win I ever had,” he added.
Yuzvendra Chahal Delivers Match-Winning Spell in PBKS Victory
Punjab captain Shreyas Iyer had elected to bat first after winning the toss. However, PBKS were bowled out for 111 runs, with Harshit Rana taking a three-wicket haul.
Yuzvendra Chahal turned the match with a phenomenal spell. He was introduced in the seventh over when KKR were well-placed at 62/2. Chahal dismissed Ajinkya Rahane and then removed Angkrish Raghuvanshi.
The wrist spinner sent back Rinku Singh and Ramandeep Singh in back-to-back deliveries in the 12th over. Chahal ended with figures of 4 for 28 after dismantling KKR’s middle order. Marco Jansen picked up the final wicket of Andre Russell. Ponting celebrated jubilantly in the dugout with the squad.
Also read: “Would frustrate me as coach…”: Glenn Maxwell blasted as his axing from PBKS XI demanded
