During a discussion with Ab de Villiers, Chahal also shared his experiences with injuries from the last season, which impacted his performance in the playoffs.
“After the KKR [Kolkata Knight Riders] match, I fractured my hip, and later in the tournament, I fractured my knuckle. Thus, during the semi-final [Qualifiers] and final, I struggled to bowl my regular leg-spin,” Chahal explained.
“This year, I aimed to prioritize my health, and I have some good news for you: I’ve quit alcohol. It’s been over six months,” he stated.
Chahal elaborated that he aspires to be a guiding figure in the team. With several young players in the squad, the Haryana star wants to serve as a source of inspiration for them.
“At 35, I aim to be more active and commit 150 per cent to my team. As a senior bowler and player, I want others to see me and think, ‘there’s something to learn from him.’”
Chahal was signed by PBKS for ₹18 crore in the mega auction before the IPL 2025 season.
He participated in 14 matches last season, achieving 16 dismissals at an economy rate of 9.56, a notable increase from his season-long average of 7.96.
Overall, he holds the record as the leading wicket-taker in IPL history, with 221 dismissals across 174 matches. Having played for Mumbai Indians (MI), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and Rajasthan Royals (RR), he is currently representing PBKS but has yet to clinch a title in the league.
