IPL 2025: PBKS' assistant coach confirms injury blow to Yuzvendra Chahal ahead of playoffs

Punjab Kings' assistant coach, Sunil Joshi, recently confirmed that Yuzvendra Chahal missed the PBKS' game against Delhi Capitals due to a minor injury. The game against DC on May 24 was the first match Chahal missed for his side in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League. 

Joshi revealed that the 34-year-old leg-spinner was rested due to a "small niggle".

"Chahal has a small niggle, so we are just resting him. That's the idea," stated Joshi during the post-match press conference, while not really delving into the specifics of the injury, as quoted by India Today.

Praveen Dubey was handed his first game for PBKS this season in the place of Chahal. Coming in as the Impact Player, Dubey only bowled a couple of overs. He conceded 20 runs while picking up the wicket of Sediqullah Atal. The absence of Chahal was felt, though. PBKS ended up losing the game by six wickets with three deliveries to spare.

Speaking of Chahal's tournament so far, the 34-year-old has secured 14 wickets in 11 innings while conceding runs at a rate of 9.56 per over. His most prominent performance was his four-wicket haul against Chennai Super Kings on April 30. The four wickets also included a hat-trick. Notably, it was his second hat-trick in IPL history.