Why Yuzvendra Chahal bowled just 1 over vs Gujarat Titans? Punjab Kings half-centurion reveals message from coaching staff

UPDATED: May 04, 2026 11:09 AM IST

Punjab Kings' leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal celebrates a wicket against Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026 match. (Source: BCCI)

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Yuzvendra Chahal went for 13 runs in his first over.

Chahal was introduced into the attack as late as 14th over.

Pacers bowled 35 out of 40 overs bowled on May 3 in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 match between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Punjab Kings (PBKS). After GT bowlers reduced PBKS' power-packed lineup was reduced to 47/5 in 8.4 overs, the visitors thought pace is the way to go on the surface at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. There was just one over spin bowled during GT's innings. The leading wicket-taker in IPL history, Yuzvendra Chahal was introduced as late as the 14th over only to be removed after just one over. After PBKS’ second loss on the trot, their young recruit Suryansh Shedge, who scored his maiden IPL half-century, revealed that the message from the dugout was to use pace more.

“I think it all depended on the situation. We went into the game thinking we have to bowl more fast bowlers because that seven-and-a-half metre length was difficult to play. I think it was a bit two-paced because of the grass and the black soil. So I think that was the intention,” Shedge said in the post-match press conference.

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“Sometimes it was sticking, sometimes it was skidding through. So I think our bowling coach, just before the powerplay got over, he sent out a message to Vyshak saying that you should bowl that length, and you can see how well Vyshak bowled. So yeah, I think the planning was right,” he added.

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Stoinis, Vyshak over Chahal

Chahal conceded 13 runs including two boundaries off Sudharsan's bat in the 14th over. Meanwhile, Vyshak bowled four overs, conceded 31 runs and bagged wickets of Jos Buttler and opener Sudharsan. The game was alive till the last over. Washington Sundar finished off the run chase on the penultimate ball of the innings with a maximum off Marcus Stoinis. The Australian all-rounder conceded 26 runs from 2.5 overs and got the wicket of debutant Nishant Sindhu.

Chahal underbowled in IPL 2026? What do numbers say?

In the ongoing IPL edition, there have been of instances where Chahal hasn’t bowled his full quota of overs. From nine games, he has bowled 31 overs and taken seven wickets at an average of 36.28. His economy rate was 9.76 runs per over.