NEW DELHI: Yuzvendra Chahal’s spell reminds Aakash Chopra of Shane Warne as he turned the tide in Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) dramatic 16-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2025. In what became the lowest successful defense in IPL history, PBKS managed to defend just 112 runs, thanks largely to Chahal’s crafty 4-wicket haul that dismantled KKR’s middle-order.
Defending a modest total, Chahal showcased vintage leg-spin — bowling slower through the air, giving the ball flight, and turning it just enough to trouble the batters. The highlight of his spell was not just the wickets but the sheer control and deception he maintained throughout.
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Former Indian opener and cricket analyst Aakash Chopra was quick to heap praise on Chahal, comparing his bowling style to that of Australian spin legend Shane Warne.
“Yuzi Chahal bowled well because there were revolutions on the ball, and he bowled slightly slow. The ball was drifting in the air. It was going away from the left-handers and turning after pitching,” said Chopra in his analysis.
Warne-Like Magic in Chahal’s Spell
Chahal’s game-changing moment came with the dismissal of KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane, breaking a 55-run stand with Angkrish Raghuvanshi. He then cleaned up Raghuvanshi, followed by Rinku Singh and Ramandeep Singh, reducing KKR to a stage where they couldn’t recover.
“For a leg-spinner, the ball should go towards the leg side for the right-handers and outside the off-stump for the left-handers, and then pitch and turn. The great Shane Warne used to do that, and Chahal bowled like that and picked up wickets,” Chopra added, clearly impressed.
The pitch in Kolkata wasn’t unplayable. In fact, it was offering good bounce and carry, as seen during KKR’s early batting phase.
“Sunil Narine and Quinton de Kock got out. When Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi were playing, Raghuvanshi played a pick-up shot that went for a 70-meter six, Rahane chipped the ball for a straight six, and then Raghuvanshi hit a four towards cover. The pitch was very, very good to bat,” said Chopra.
However, a controversial LBW decision against Rahane — which he chose not to review — swung the match in PBKS’ favor.
“A leg-before decision was given, Rahane didn’t review that, and the ball had hit him slightly outside the off-stump. Stroke of luck. You can call it poor umpiring as well. Rahane is too sweet. He felt what would happen if they lost a review. That became the turning point,” Chopra explained.
What followed was a collapse.
“Angkrish Raghuvanshi got out to Yuzi’s ball. Rinku Singh also got out, and Venkatesh Iyer fell prey to Glenn Maxwell. Ramandeep Singh came and got out,” he added.
This spell not only marked a classic Chahal performance but also justified the ₹18 crore that PBKS shelled out in the IPL 2025 mega auction — making him the most expensive Indian spinner in IPL history. For Chahal, it wasn’t just about wickets — it was about bowling with guile, patience, and Warne-like mastery.
