Yuzvendra Chahal, the most expensive spinner in IPL 2025, has broken his silence following a lukewarm start to his season with Punjab Kings (PBKS). Purchased for a jaw-dropping ₹18 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction, Chahal has so far claimed just one wicket in three matches, raising eyebrows across the cricketing world.
But the seasoned leg-spinner isn’t fazed by the numbers or the criticism. In a candid interaction on JioHotstar Press Room with Punjab Kings, Chahal responded confidently to questions about his price tag and performance.
“I deserve this price tag,” Chahal stated firmly.
“When you’re out there playing, the auction amount doesn’t run through your mind. Whether it’s ₹6 crore or ₹18 crore, the goal is the same — to win matches for the team.”
Chahal was released by Rajasthan Royals ahead of the auction and had multiple suitors including RCB, CSK, GT, SRH, and LSG. However, it was Punjab Kings who went all in for the leggie, making him the costliest spinner in the league’s history.
Despite the underwhelming stats — including an average of 102.00 and an economy rate of 10.2 — Chahal is taking the long view.
“We’ve only played three matches so far. There’s a long way to go in the tournament. My focus is to contribute to team victories, not just individual milestones,” he added.
What’s more, Chahal is bullish about PBKS’s prospects this season.
“We’re the best team in the tournament. We’ll finish in the Top 2 after the league stage. The balance we have with 7-8 bowling options and 9-10 batting options makes us true contenders.”
When asked about national team selection, Chahal remained grounded.
“That’s not in my hands. My job is to perform for PBKS. If I do that, everything else will follow.”
PBKS fans will now be hoping that their ₹18 crore investment starts to pay dividends soon — not just with the ball, but with match-winning impact.
