'Pretty much visible on his face that he is off-colour...': Ex-RCB star reveals why Yuzvendra Chahal is underperforming in IPL 2025

Former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer believes that Punjab Kings (PBKS) spinner Yuzvendra Chahal is playing defensive cricket in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. He lauded Chahal for picking Travis Head's wicket during his last IPL outing against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Jaffer said that the deliveries that removed Chahal are the ones he is known for; his defensive mindset ensures that he is under pressure in IPL 2025.

Chahal, who is the highest wicket-taker in IPL, has managed to pick two wickets in his five outings of the 18th edition of the tournament with an economy rate of 11.13. Jaffer said that Chahal is under some serious pressure after his poor returns since the start of IPL 2025.

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“I think the few deliveries he bowled, when he picked up Travis Head’s wicket, I think that is what we need to see Chahal bowl more often. Looking to spin the ball, looking to bowl googlies and looking to put some revs on the ball, which I think we are missing from watching Yuzi," Jaffer said while speaking on ESPNCricinfo.

“He is very defensive in his mindset and the pressure is pretty much visible on his face that he is off-colour," Jaffer added.

Chahal finished with figures of 4-0-56-1 against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday, the most expensive spinner of the lot. Former India cricketer Piyush Chawla also agreed with Jaffer, saying that Chahal’s poor form and low confidence have led to a lack of trust in himself to bowl googlies.

“We have not seen him bowl googlies also. If you are bowling wide outside off-stump for them, then it is going away from them. So, you eventually get a chance to pick a wicket or something like that, but he did not bowl those, maybe because of lack of form if you see this season," Chawla said.

Punjab Kings recently lost an IPL 2025 clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets. PBKS will now face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for their upcoming clash which will take place on April 15 at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium.