Wasim Jaffer slams PBKS for underbowling Yuzvendra Chahal in IPL 2025 match vs CSK

Former Indian Test opener Wasim Jaffer questioned Punjab Kings’ captain Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy for underbowling Yuzvendra Chahal against Chennai Super Kings at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh on Tuesday.

Chahal bowled a solitary over and conceded nine runs against CSK. In the post-match presentation, Iyer revealed they wanted to attack Shivam Dube with fast bowlers as the left-hander is known to be deadly against the spinners.

However, Jaffer recalled that Delhi Capitals’ leg-spinner Vipraj Nigam had got rid of the pugnacious left-hander in the previous game.

“Vipraj Nigam got Shivam Dube out in the previous game. So you are saying Yuzvendra Chahal is not a better bowler than Vipraj? I mean it’s in the hindsight, but if he gets him out when he comes to bowl to Shivam Dube at the start, he breaks open the game,” Jaffer questioned on ESPN Cricinfo.

On the other hand, former Indian leg-spinner Piyush Chawla also concurred with Wasim Jaffer and said he didn’t like Iyer’s decision to hold back Chahal as the leg-spinner has all the experience.

“I did not like it to be honest. People talk a lot about match-ups. But, he is somebody who is the highest wicket-taker in this league. He got the majority of his wickets on the most difficult ground. Two left-handers at the crease it is okay, he can bowl the wrong’un as well. If Dube takes him for one or two sixes, but you get his wicket at that time, then that pushes CSK more on the backfoot,” Chawla said.

In the end, Shivam Dube was dismissed after scoring 42 runs off 27 balls by Lockie Ferguson. PBKS were able to secure an 18-run win, which is their third victory of the season.

Punjab Kings will next take on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad on Saturday.