Why Shreyas Iyer didn’t use Yuzvendra Chahal despite seamers’ costly outing vs Delhi Capitals: ‘If we had executed…’

After failing to defend a 211-run target vs DC, Shreyas Iyer's call to not bowl ace spinner Yuzvendra Chahal came under the scanner.

Updated on: May 12, 2026, 08:08:22 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Punjab Kings’ IPL 2026 campaign has suddenly lost steam at the business end of the season. After spending most of the first half comfortably inside the top two, four consecutive defeats have completely shifted the mood around the team and tightened the playoff race. What once looked like a side cruising towards qualification is now under serious pressure heading into the final stretch of the league stage.

Shreyas Iyer questioned after ignoring Yuzvendra Chahal in tense chase. (AFP)

There is a growing sense that Punjab may have peaked too early in the tournament. Their recent performances have lacked the sharpness and control that defined their strong start, and the slump has arrived at the worst possible time. Monday night’s defeat against Delhi Capitals was another major setback and served as a wake-up call for the side. With the points table getting increasingly crowded, Punjab can no longer afford slip-ups and now likely need to win at least two of their remaining three matches to keep their playoff hopes firmly alive.

With Punjab Kings slipping to four straight defeats, some of skipper Shreyas Iyer’s decisions have also started coming under scrutiny. It is only natural, considering he received widespread praise when Punjab were dominating teams during the early phase of the season.

After failing to defend a 211-run target vs DC, Iyer's call to not bowl ace spinner Yuzvendra Chahal came under the scanner and he was asked whether there was a thought in his mind, maybe get an over of Chahal in between, to which he replied; "There was absolutely a thought in my mind, but the way ball was seaming and the way it was helping seamers, I think if we would have executed our line and length precisely, we could have been able to extract wickets, but unfortunately again, we didn't."

Also Read - Body language of champions: 2 of Delhi Capitals' most criticised stars Axar Patel, David Miller shine in Dharamsala cold

Delhi Capitals still alive in playoffs race

Delhi Capitals kept their playoff hopes alive with a thrilling three-wicket win over Punjab Kings in a high-scoring contest at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on Monday. Chasing a daunting target, DC were powered by aggressive half-centuries from captain Axar Patel and David Miller, who led the side to one of the franchise’s most memorable run chases. Delhi crossed the finish line with an over remaining, piling more pressure on Punjab in the race to the playoffs.

Punjab’s bowling attack struggled badly under pressure. Apart from Arshdeep Singh, none of the seamers managed to control the scoring rate on a batting-friendly surface. Arshdeep stood out with figures of 2/21, but the rest of the attack leaked runs at over 10 an over, allowing DC batters to dictate terms throughout the chase. Punjab’s decision not to use Chahal also became a major talking point after the defeat.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

Get live cricket scores, match updates, schedules, results and ICC rankings. Follow the latest news, statistics and performances of top teams and players on Hindustan Times.