Punjab Kings slumped to their fourth consecutive defeat in IPL 2026 after failing to defend 210 against Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala, but the post-match conversation quickly shifted to one big question – why was Yuzvendra Chahal not used at all?
DC chased down 211 to complete the highest successful IPL chase at the venue, winning by three wickets with six balls remaining, despite being reduced to 38/3 early in the innings.
However, PBKS’ decision to go without spin, even with an experienced wicket-taker like Chahal in the XI, drew sharp reactions from former players and experts.
Speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out Show, Abhinav Mukund said:
“You’ve got to bowl him in overs 7 to 15, and in conditions like this, when you’ve got Miller and Axar going, it’s very difficult for a captain to hand him the ball. If he had to do that, he had to do it in the seventh over when Axar and Stubbs were there.”
Mukund added that PBKS had enough cushion to take a calculated risk:
“But then again, I would’ve personally got out at least an over of Chahal to just see what was happening. To just see because when you had the scoreboard pressure, and you had the luxury of giving away even 18 or 20 runs, if need be, at that point, but try and take the gamble to pick up a wicket.”
He further explained the ideal window for spin usage:
“So I would’ve done that between overs 7 to 10, and if it didn’t work, you had Stoinis as insurance.”
The debate intensified on social media as well.
Former India cricketer Dodda Ganesh posted on X:
“So, Chahal doesn’t get to bowl at all. Goodness gracious! To think that a champion bowler like Chahal wouldn’t have induced one mistake from those left handers’ bat is foolhardy to say the least. He any day has a better chance of picking wickets than Stoinis. When will this ridiculous match-up game stop? It has cost Punjab the game today #IPL2026”
So, Chahal doesn’t get to bowl at all. Goodness gracious! To think that a champion bowler like Chahal wouldn’t have induced one mistake from those left handers’ bat is foolhardy to say the least. He any day has a better chance of picking wickets than Stoinis. When will this…
— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) May 11, 2026
Mohammad Kaif also questioned the tactical approach, writing on X:
“Surprising how no spinner was used by DC and Punjab at Dharamshala. Statistics show how spinners have better economy than pacers at this ground since 2023. Seasoned match winners Axar Patel and Yuzi Chahal playing no role with the ball in a T20 game is puzzling.”
Surprising how no spinner was used by DC and Punjab at Dharamshala. Statistics show how spinners have better economy than pacers at this ground since 2023. Seasoned match winners Axar Patel and Yuzi Chahal playing no role with the ball in a T20 game is puzzling.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) May 11, 2026
Also Read: ‘We didn’t execute in the last five overs,’ admits PBKS coach Bahutule after DC record chase
What Shreyas Iyer said on the decision
PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer later addressed the tactical call of not using Chahal, admitting it was something they did consider during the match.
“There was absolutely a thought in my mind, but the way ball was seaming and the way it was helping seamers, I think if we would have executed our line and length precisely, we could have been able to extract wickets, but unfortunately again, we didn’t.”
Despite early breakthroughs that reduced DC to 38/3, Axar Patel (56) and David Miller (51) rebuilt the innings before Madhav Tiwari’s 18 off 8 balls sealed the chase for Delhi.
PBKS now face mounting pressure after four straight defeats in their playoff push.