Overview:
Chahal was miffed with himself as he was not at his best during IPL 2025 due to injuries. The spinner wanted to keep himself fit in the 19th season to ensure he gives his best with the ball.
Yuzvendra Chahal’s international career is almost over as the selectors have moved on from him, and he doesn’t feature in their scheme of things. However, the veteran spinner is still active in the Indian Premier League and recently spoke about a change in his lifestyle and his decision to quit alcohol. Chahal, who will represent the Punjab Kings in the IPL 2026, revealed personal changes during a podcast with RCB legend AB de Villiers.
Chahal had a good first season with PBKS despite starting poorly in 2025. In 14 matches, he took 16 wickets as Punjab made it to the final, where they fell short by 6 runs against RCB. Chahal wants to win the IPL title with Punjab and is eager to be among the top wicket-takers in the new season. The spinner mentioned that he stopped consuming alcohol to become a role model for the young players in the team.
“I have stopped drinking alcohol, and I think it’s been more than six months. I am 35, and I want to be more active to give my best for the team. I want people in the IPL to learn from me as I am a senior player,” Chahal said.
Chahal was miffed with himself as he was not at his best during IPL 2025 due to injuries. The spinner wanted to keep himself fit in the 19th season to ensure he gives his best with the ball.
“I was not happy with myself. I suffered a rib fracture and a knuckle fracture after the game against the Kolkata Knight Riders. I was not able to bowl well in the semi-final and the final of the IPL. I want to take care of my body this year,” he concluded.
Chahal is still hopeful of playing for the Indian National Cricket team and will be using the IPL 2026 to get back into the good books of the selectors. His last international game was in 2023.